Reassessment on roentgenologic signs of early rickets. Roentgenopathologic correlations of 52 en block specimens.

Correlation of the X-ray manifestation and the en bloc sections of 52 wrists of infants and children aged from 0-4 years from autopsy was carried out to identify the real X-ray signs of rickets. Simple ill-defined provisional calcified zone (PCZ), enlargement of head of ulna, shallow saucer-shaped and undulant or multilaminar PCZ are normal in variation. The signs of early rickets included marginal spur, saucer-shaped deformity, ill-defined and disordered trabeculae under PCZ, mild brush appearance and osteoporosis. However, only when five of the above mentioned criteria were met at the same time, can early rickets be diagnosed.