What causes Anteater nose sign in foot on lateral radiograph?
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Answer:
Tubular elongation or long anteroinferior spur of the anterior process of the calcaneus projecting toward or overlapping the navicular, highly suggestive of calcaneonavicular coalition, a congenital tarsal coalition where fibrous or cartilaginous tissue abnormally connects the calcaneus and navicular bones, leading to limited subtalar motion and pain.
Why is it called so?:
Named for the elongated, tubular anterior calcaneal process that fancifully resembles the protruding snout or nose of an anteater as it approaches the navicular.
Pathophysiology:
In calcaneonavicular coalition, failure of segmentation between calcaneus and navicular during embryologic development results in compensatory hypertrophy and tubular elongation of the anterior calcaneal process, producing the sign on lateral imaging.
Alternative names:
Other associated named signs: Reverse anteater nose sign (elongated posterior navicular protruding toward calcaneus)
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