Copper Deficiency

  • Etiology: lack of copper – copper required for endochondral bone and collagen
  • Imaging: symmetric changes of metaphyseal irregularity and lucency, loss of cortical sharpness, midshaft bowing, metaphyseal cupping, metaphyseal spurs in medial distal femurs and ulna, osteopenia, increased density in zone of provisional calcification, delayed bone age
  • DDX: child abuse

Radiology Cases of Copper Deficiency

Radiograph of copper decificency
AP radiograph of the knee shows metaphyseal cupping in the distal femur.