This 37-year-old baggage handler complains of pain
in his shoulder of six months' duration. What is your
interpretation of the frontal film of his acromioclavicular
joint?
The correct diagnosis is stress-induced osteolysis
of the clavicle. It has long been recognized that trauma
will cause osteolysis of the distal end of the clavicle.
However, it has also been demonstrated that longstanding
overuse will lead to the same phenomenon. Activity restriction
will result in partial or complete restoration of structure.
This series of diagnostic quizzes that
challenge your ability to read a variety of x-ray films is
edited by Dr. Keats, alumni professor of radiology at the
University of Virginia School of Medicine in Charlottesville.
