Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of scurvy with gelatinous bone marrow transformation

• Published in: Skeletal radiology Vol. 41; no. 3; pp. 357 - 360
• Main Authors: Brennan, Christopher M., Atkins, Kristen A., Druzgal, Colleen H., Gaskin, Cree M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-03-2012; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Bone Marrow Diseases - etiology; Bone Marrow Diseases - pathology; Case Report; Child, Preschool; Diagnosis, Differential; Humans; Imaging; Leukemia; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical imaging equipment; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Nuclear Medicine; Orthopedics; Pathology; Radiology; Scurvy; Scurvy - complications; Scurvy - pathology; Serous atrophy; Magnetic resonance imaging; Scurvy; Malnutrition; Vitamin C; Gelatinous transformation
• ISSN: 0364-2348; 1432-2161
• DOI: 10.1007/s00256-011-1350-9

Scurvy is a lethal but treatable disease that is rare in industrialized countries. Caused by vitamin C deficiency, it is most prevalent in persons of low socioeconomic status and smokers. Low levels of circulating vitamin C result in poor collagen fiber formation that, in turn, leads to demineralized bones, microfractures, and poor healing. Here we report a case of scurvy in a 5-year-old boy with normal radiographs in whom initial concern for leukemia based upon magnetic resonance imaging and clinical presentation led to a bone marrow biopsy revealing gelatinous transformation.