TY - JOUR AU - Horton, Jason A. AU - Krisch, Maria F. AU - Levinsohn, E. Mark AU - Hootnick, David R. PY - 2022/08/01 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Lateral Epiphyseal Narrowings with Absent Fibula Conform to a Vascular Pattern Deficiency: Current Concept Review JF - Journal of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America JA - JPOSNA VL - 4 IS - 3 SE - Lower Extremity DO - 10.55275/JPOSNA-2022-0083 UR - https://jposna.org/index.php/jposna/article/view/515 SP - AB - <p>Lateral epiphyseal narrowing with valgus deformities of the knee and ankle are cardinal radiographic features of Congenitally Shortened Limbs (CSL) exhibiting Congenital Fibular Deficiency (CFD). Radiographs of typical CFD limbs reveal valgus deformities and lateral epiphyseal reductions at both the knee and ankle. Arteriography of CSL reveals not only absence of adult vessels, but preservation of primitive vessels. Specifically, the superior and inferior lateral genicular arteries that habitually serve the lateral femoral condyle (LFC) and the lateral aspect of the proximal tibial epiphysis are absent in CSL. Similarly, the usual arteries supplying the distal tibial epiphysis are absent, except for a singular periosteal vessel, which independently serves the anteromedial portion.</p><p>Active transitioning of the single primitive Axial Artery (AA) to the usual adult pattern of the lower limb accompanies periods of rapid growth and ossification its anlagen. Dysgenesis of the lateral arteries supplying the secondary ossification centers leads to asymmetric growth of the developing epiphyses, caused by relative medial overgrowth. Since vascular dysgenesis manifests at sites of failed embryonic transition of the proximal <u>F</u>emur, <u>f</u>ibula and midline <u>M</u>etatarsals (FfM) in CSL, it is herein hypothesized that vascular dysgenesis also underlies the impaired growth of the reduced epiphyses as seen in CSL.</p><p><u>Take-Home Points </u></p><ul><li>Undergrowth of the lateral epiphyses leads to valgus deformities of both the knee and ankle.</li><li>Undergrowth is due to embryonic dysgenesis of lateral vasculature at and below the knee.</li><li>In CSL, some adult vessels fail to form, while more primitive vessels are preserved.</li><li>Valgus angular deformities in CSL result from reduction of the secondary ossification centers due to vascular dysgeneses that occurred before the epiphyses formed.</li></ul> ER -