Melorheostosis of the Foot: A Case Report of A rare entity with a Review of Multimodality Imaging Emphasizing the Importance of Conventional Radiography in Diagnosis

INTRODUCTION: Melorheostosis is a benign bone dysplasia affecting predominantly the appendicular skeleton and adjoining soft tissues. The diagnosis can be established on plain radiographs alone and advanced imaging modalities can be avoided. We hereby report a rare case of melorheostosis affecting the foot with a review of the role of various imaging modalities in diagnosis of this rare bone dysplasia. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 29 years old man who was diagnosed with melorheostosis affecting his left foot. The patient presented to the outpatient department of our tertiary care referral hospital with complains of pain in the left ankle and foot with imaging and evaluation done at a primary center. The radiograph revealed an irregular, longitudinal extraosseous hyperostosis along the body of the calcaneum and the metacarpals which was consistent with the classical radiological description of melorheostosis. The CT, MRI and bone scan findings corroborated our primary diagnosis. CONCLUSION: The purpose of this case report is to review the features of this rare disorder affecting the foot, on multiple imaging modalities and emphasizing the role of conventional radiology in its diagnosis.