[Differential diagnosis of metaphyseal dysplasias and osteodysplasty (osteodysplasty of Melnick and Needles) (author's transl)].

The article reports on 4 patients with rare modeling defects of the long bones. These defects are metaphyseal dysplasia, craniometaphyseal dysplasia, frontometaphyseal dysplasia, and osteodysplasty (osteodysplasty of Melnick and Needles). The differential diagnostic criteria are shown in a table to allow diagnosis already in children. This appears important in respect of the therapy to be employed (corrective surgery) and for prognosis, as well as for giving patients proper genetic and vocational advice.