Radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1-year-old with macrocephaly and jaundice

Infantile osteopetrosis is a rare, severe genetic disorder marked by defective osteoclast function, leading to abnormally dense but fragile bones. Early diagnosis through radiologic imaging is essential for proper management, as it often reveals hallmark features such as diffuse skeletal sclerosis,...

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Main Authors: Aya Laridi, MD, Chaimaa Jabbari, MD, Ihssane Laasri, MD, Soufiane Hassar, MD, Nazik Allali, PhD, Latifa Chat, PhD, Siham El Haddad, PhD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Radiology Case Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325004819
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author Aya Laridi, MD
Chaimaa Jabbari, MD
Ihssane Laasri, MD
Soufiane Hassar, MD
Nazik Allali, PhD
Latifa Chat, PhD
Siham El Haddad, PhD
author_facet Aya Laridi, MD
Chaimaa Jabbari, MD
Ihssane Laasri, MD
Soufiane Hassar, MD
Nazik Allali, PhD
Latifa Chat, PhD
Siham El Haddad, PhD
author_sort Aya Laridi, MD
collection DOAJ
description Infantile osteopetrosis is a rare, severe genetic disorder marked by defective osteoclast function, leading to abnormally dense but fragile bones. Early diagnosis through radiologic imaging is essential for proper management, as it often reveals hallmark features such as diffuse skeletal sclerosis, the “bone-in-bone” appearance, and the “Harlequin mask” appearance. We present the case of a 1-year-old female who presented with macrocephaly, jaundice, and hepatosplenomegaly, alongside a family history of similar symptoms with sibling deaths. Clinical examination revealed dysmorphic facial features, growth retardation, and hematologic abnormalities including severe anemia and thrombocytopenia. Brain CT imaging demonstrated triventricular hydrocephalus, while skull X-rays revealed characteristic radiologic signs of osteopetrosis, including the “Harlequin mask” appearance and “sandwich” vertebrae. The diagnosis was confirmed based on these clinico-radiologic findings, given the unavailability of genetic testing. Osteopetrosis, particularly the autosomal recessive form, poses significant risks including bone marrow failure, fractures, and cranial nerve compression. This case underscores the critical role of radiologic evaluation in early detection and timely intervention, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which may improve long-term outcomes. Our report highlights the importance of radiologic findings in diagnosing and managing this rare and potentially life-threatening condition.
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spelling doaj-art-d8a787a10930404b8f4b0bb18cffb5ff2025-08-20T02:36:45ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332025-09-012094226423010.1016/j.radcr.2025.05.047Radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1-year-old with macrocephaly and jaundiceAya Laridi, MD0Chaimaa Jabbari, MD1Ihssane Laasri, MD2Soufiane Hassar, MD3Nazik Allali, PhD4Latifa Chat, PhD5Siham El Haddad, PhD6Corresponding author.; Department of Radiology, Mother-Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Children's Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Radiology, Mother-Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Children's Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Radiology, Mother-Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Children's Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Radiology, Mother-Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Children's Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Radiology, Mother-Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Children's Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Radiology, Mother-Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Children's Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoDepartment of Radiology, Mother-Child, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Rabat, Children's Hospital, Ibn Sina University Hospital, Mohammed V University, Rabat, MoroccoInfantile osteopetrosis is a rare, severe genetic disorder marked by defective osteoclast function, leading to abnormally dense but fragile bones. Early diagnosis through radiologic imaging is essential for proper management, as it often reveals hallmark features such as diffuse skeletal sclerosis, the “bone-in-bone” appearance, and the “Harlequin mask” appearance. We present the case of a 1-year-old female who presented with macrocephaly, jaundice, and hepatosplenomegaly, alongside a family history of similar symptoms with sibling deaths. Clinical examination revealed dysmorphic facial features, growth retardation, and hematologic abnormalities including severe anemia and thrombocytopenia. Brain CT imaging demonstrated triventricular hydrocephalus, while skull X-rays revealed characteristic radiologic signs of osteopetrosis, including the “Harlequin mask” appearance and “sandwich” vertebrae. The diagnosis was confirmed based on these clinico-radiologic findings, given the unavailability of genetic testing. Osteopetrosis, particularly the autosomal recessive form, poses significant risks including bone marrow failure, fractures, and cranial nerve compression. This case underscores the critical role of radiologic evaluation in early detection and timely intervention, such as hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which may improve long-term outcomes. Our report highlights the importance of radiologic findings in diagnosing and managing this rare and potentially life-threatening condition.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325004819Infantile osteopetrosisPediatricsX-rayCT
spellingShingle Aya Laridi, MD
Chaimaa Jabbari, MD
Ihssane Laasri, MD
Soufiane Hassar, MD
Nazik Allali, PhD
Latifa Chat, PhD
Siham El Haddad, PhD
Radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1-year-old with macrocephaly and jaundice
Radiology Case Reports
Infantile osteopetrosis
Pediatrics
X-ray
CT
title Radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1-year-old with macrocephaly and jaundice
title_full Radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1-year-old with macrocephaly and jaundice
title_fullStr Radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1-year-old with macrocephaly and jaundice
title_full_unstemmed Radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1-year-old with macrocephaly and jaundice
title_short Radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1-year-old with macrocephaly and jaundice
title_sort radiological diagnosis of infantile osteopetrosis in a 1 year old with macrocephaly and jaundice
topic Infantile osteopetrosis
Pediatrics
X-ray
CT
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043325004819
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