Wimberger ring sign

Last revised by Pir Abdul Ahad Aziz Qureshi on 14 Aug 2020

Wimberger ring sign, often simply just called Wimberger ring, refers to a circular calcification surrounding the osteoporotic epiphyseal center of ossification in scurvy, which may result from bleeding.

It must not be confused with Wimberger sign, pathognomonic for congenital syphilis.

History and etymology

Both eponymous signs were named for Hans Wimberger (1887-1954) 1,2, an Austrian pediatrician. During his lifetime he was mistakenly assumed to be a radiologist on several occasions, including in learned journals, due to his expertise at reading pediatric radiographs. However, he had no formal training in radiology 1.

Several texts and published articles erroneously credit the sign to "Heinrich Wimberger, German radiologist" 1

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