Sunburst Appearance in Osteosarcoma
May 27, 2020
dr.priya07_DecodedMedicine
The rays of the sun are seen spreading around its bright center,
an appearance described as a sunburst
A similar appearance can be described in bone radiographs of
individuals with
Periosteal Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
Periosteal Osteosarcoma is a subtype of Osteosarcoma, a malignant
tumor of the bones. It commonly occurs in the long bones of the
extremities near the metaphyseal growth plates. The most common sites are
the femur (max%), the tibia (mostly proximal tibia), and the humerus
, The tumor arises from the inner layer of the periosteum.
It elevates the periosteum and produces a periosteal
reaction.
Layers of the bone
Periosteal reaction means reactive bone formation i.e., the
periosteum produces new bone in response to certain stressful
stimuli such as breaks, tears, stretches, inflammation or irritants.
The pattern of periosteal reaction varies depending on the
stimulus. The visualisation of this pattern in radiographic images
aids the identification and differentiation of malignant and benign
tumors.
In Osteosarcoma, the tumor grows rapidly but steadily due to
which the periosteum does not have enough time to lay down
even a thin layer of bone. Instead, the tiny fibers that connect
the periosteum to the bone (Sharpey’s
fibers) become stretched out perpendicular to the
bone. When these fibers ossify, they produce a pattern visible
on radiographic images as “sunburst” or “hair-on-
end” periosteal reaction.
May 27, 2020
dr.priya07_DecodedMedicine
The rays of the sun are seen spreading around its bright center,
an appearance described as a sunburst
A similar appearance can be described in bone radiographs of
individuals with
Periosteal Osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer.
Periosteal Osteosarcoma is a subtype of Osteosarcoma, a malignant
tumor of the bones. It commonly occurs in the long bones of the
extremities near the metaphyseal growth plates. The most common sites are
the femur (max%), the tibia (mostly proximal tibia), and the humerus
, The tumor arises from the inner layer of the periosteum.
It elevates the periosteum and produces a periosteal
reaction.
Layers of the bone
Periosteal reaction means reactive bone formation i.e., the
periosteum produces new bone in response to certain stressful
stimuli such as breaks, tears, stretches, inflammation or irritants.
The pattern of periosteal reaction varies depending on the
stimulus. The visualisation of this pattern in radiographic images
aids the identification and differentiation of malignant and benign
tumors.
In Osteosarcoma, the tumor grows rapidly but steadily due to
which the periosteum does not have enough time to lay down
even a thin layer of bone. Instead, the tiny fibers that connect
the periosteum to the bone (Sharpey’s
fibers) become stretched out perpendicular to the
bone. When these fibers ossify, they produce a pattern visible
on radiographic images as “sunburst” or “hair-on-
end” periosteal reaction.
