Nutrient foramen

Case contributed by Jeremy Jones
Diagnosis certain
x-ray

Nutrient foramen that was mistaken for a 4th proximal phalanx fracture

Right hand

x-ray

Nutrient vascular foramen within the right 4th proximal phalanx simulating a fracture (red arrows). Nutrient foramina within the 2nd and 5th proximal phalanges are also subtly visible (yellow arrows). 

Case Discussion

The phalanges typically possess a single foramen however the proximal phalanges of the fingers commonly have two, with all foramina directed away from the origin of bone growth.

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