We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Osteopoikilosis?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 13,488
Share

Osteopoikilosis is a benign genetic condition characterized by white spots which can be identified on the bone in x-rays and other medical imaging studies. No treatment is required for this condition unless it causes pain, in which case a person is usually prescribed painkillers. Sometimes, the condition is associated with other genetic conditions which may be less benign, and a doctor may recommend testing and screening if there is a concern that there is more going on with the patient than just the osteopoikilosis.

This condition is one of a family of conditions known as sclerosing bone dysplasias. In people with osteopoikilosis, small disc shaped to ovoid white lesions show up on the bones, especially on the ends of the long bones. The area around the pelvis is a classic location for the lesions. Lesions are often identified before the age of twenty, and may be an incidental finding encountered while working up a patient for another medical problem. If someone has no reason to be x-rayed while young, osteopoikilosis may not be identified until later in life.

Some sclerosing bone dysplasias are dangerous, or are associated with other genetic issues. For this reason, when lesions which are suspected to be osteopoikilosis are identified, the doctor may recommend further workup to confirm the diagnosis. Once confirmed, the condition requires no special attention or treatment, although patients may want to make a note of it when they are x-rayed or tested later in life so that other doctors are aware of the situation.

People with osteopoikilosis do not appear to be at greater risk of fractures and other problems with the bones, although the condition is a bone disorder. In patients with a cluster of genetic conditions include this sclerosing bone dysplasia, these conditions may cause medical issues which can vary in character, depending on the conditions involved. People with a family history of osteopoikilosis should not necessarily need to be worried about passing it on to their children because it is a benign genetic variation, although they may want to consider genetic testing to check for signs of conditions which are sometimes associated with osteopoikilosis.

This condition is relatively rare, and can be an unusual radiological finding. If a radiologist has not seen very many cases, she or he may recommend that the films be reviewed by a practitioner with more experience to confirm the diagnosis. Patients may also be referred to a bone specialist for additional screening and counseling.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a The Health Board researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By Sheiky — On Aug 20, 2015

I was told I had osteopikilosis after I had breast cancer, they gave me a ct scan and i was told I had cancer spread to my bones. Wasn't until they gave me an MRI scan they found out they made a mistake with diagnosis of cancer. Problem I have is my pelvis and hips hurt quite a lot especially when I have been on my feet a while. I was told there are no symptoms so why do I ache a lot?

Have googled a lot on this subject but doesn't seem to be much out there. I live in UK. The doctors I have spoken to don't know much about it.

By amincroes — On Feb 17, 2015

I am 19 years old. Since I was 16, I have been feeling an unusual pain in my lower back which later developed in the whole part of my body. I have been diagnosed with Osteopoikilosis, I don't know what to do. As an athletic male I feel very depressed sometimes because my doctors had told me that I can't do any sports, so the only thing I can do now is ride bicycles and swim. I want to know if this can develop in some kind of bone cancer. Also, I have pictures of my x-rays. Thank you!

By dudedancer — On Feb 06, 2014

I have this rare bone disorder, I am male, 45 years old and only found out a few years ago when I was getting shoulder pain and they thought it was frozen shoulder. They did an X-ray and found my bones had an unusual appearance, honeycomb appearance. At first they thought the worst -- cancer -- but after a specialist took a look he knew what it was and diagnosed Osteopoikilosis.

I get extreme pain all over my body now, and it just seems to be getting worse. I can't walk far without it hurting so much.

By sngaimd — On Feb 28, 2012

@JimmyT: I'm a physician; I'm curious to hear a little more about your case. I wonder whether you're signed up to receive updates on posts. If so, I hope to hear from you soon!

By JimmyT — On Aug 25, 2011

@stl156 - You're right about the testing process. I was actually diagnosed with osteopoikilosis when I was about 15 and had to get X-rays after I broke my arm. The doctors noted it, and suggested I get some of the extra tests done to make sure it wasn't something more serious. Turns out there was nothing more.

I've moved a few times over the years, and now when I get an X-ray, I always make sure to mention it beforehand, otherwise it starts the whole process over again. I'm not sure about the statistics, but I have read that osteopoikilosis is actually one of the rare dominant gene conditions, so anyone who has it will pass it on to their kids.

By stl156 — On Aug 25, 2011

@jcraig - A bone lesion is analogous to a skin lesion. Just a place where the tissue has been torn somehow. There are a lot of different types of bone lesions caused by many different things.

I think the reason osteopoikilosis would be taken so seriously even though it is a benign disease is because bone lesions can be associated with cancerous tumors, even though a lot of bone tumors are not cancerous.

From reading the article, it sounds like the condition would be genetic, and not acquired. I did find myself wondering how many people have osteopoikilosis. How common is it?

By kentuckycat — On Aug 24, 2011

@jcraig - I was wondering a lot of the same things. Is there a reason that the bone lesions tend to show up more often on long bones than other places?

Also, what exactly causes osteopoikilosis or any type of sclerosing bone dysplasia? Is it a certain recessive gene that is passed down from the parents, or can it be something that is acquired after you are born?

Finally, what are some examples of the more serious conditions that could be associated with osteopoikilosis? I assume it could be things that are associated with the same genes that cause the condition.

By jcraig — On Aug 23, 2011

What does the article mean when it says there is a lesion on the bone? I've heard of skin lesions, but I didn't know they could be other places in the body.

When someone is possibly identified as having osteopoikilosis or another sclerosing bone dysplasia, what are the additional tests they might need to do to make sure that there is nothing more serious going on?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-osteopoikilosis.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.