POSTTRAUMATIC OSTEOLYSIS OF THE DISTAL CLAVICULE - HISTOLOGIC-FINDINGS IN 2 CASES

Two patients with post-traumatic osteolysis of the distal end of the c lavicle undergoing surgery 5 months and 22 months respectively after t he initial trauma were evaluated histopathologically. The lysed zone w as replaced by tissue of fibrous appearance, with little blood supply and non-inflammatory, the presence of which could be suspected by magn etic resonance. The synovial menbrane, non-inflammatory but hypervascu larised, participated in the process but did not appear to be directly responsible for the osteolysis. The osseous tissue of the patient, op erated upon early, showed signs of osteoclastic resorption but there w as neither stasis, vasodilatation nor signs of osteogenesis. These var ious findings suggest that post-traumatic osteolysis of the distal end of the clavicle does not result from local ischemic events. These app earances seem identical to those described in multifocal primary osteo lysis, the cause of which also remains unknown.