Syphilis

  • Etiology: Treponema pallidum causing symmetrical involvement of enchondral ossification sites
  • Imaging: diffuse periostitis, metaphyseal lucent bands, wide metaphyses with fraying and fragmentation, erosive changes = notches on medial proximal metaphysis of tibia = Wimberger’s sign

Cases of Syphilis

Radiograph of osteomyelitis due to syphilis
AP radiograph of the lower extremities shows bilateral diffuse periostitis of the tibiae and some destructive changes on the medial proximal metaphysis of the left tibia (Wimberger’s sign).