Osteochondroma and multiple cartilagenous exostosis involving the distal radius and ulna on adjacent cortices : an unusual manifestation of a common condition

Abstract

The findings of two canine patients presenting with distal antebrachial multiple cartilaginous exostoses (MCE) highlights the difference in presentation and clinical significance of MCE impinging on the adjacent radius and ulna. We suspect that a lesion in this region, affecting the adjacent bones, may be missed as a cause of lameness. This may be due to a lack of knowledge of the normal radiological anatomy of this region on a mediolateral view, and because of the close anatomical association between the distal ulna and radius and thus superimposition on radiographs. Additionally, skeletal immaturity may mask the exostosis as the thicker cartilage cap is not visible radiologically. CT allows a much better understanding of the pathology involved due to its cross-sectional imaging.