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Findings: Radiographs demonstrate dramatic osseous protuberances which consist of osteochondromas arising from expanded metaphyses of tubular bones.

Diagnosis: Multiple hereditary exostoses.

Discussion: This is an autosomal dominant disorder which leads to clinical abnormalities in the first and second decades of life with characteristic roentgen changes. Changes in vertebral bodies can result in spinal cord compression. Other complications include growth disturbances, urinary or intestinal obstruction, and sarcomatous degeneration.

In this patient, it was possible to compare the present studies to those several years previous which showed no change.

References:
Resnick and Niwayama, Diagnosis of Bone and Joint Disorders. Vol. 3:2619-1626.

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