What causes Whiskering in the musculoskeletal system on plain radiography?
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Answer:
Fluffy periostitis at tendon insertions, characteristically seen in psoriatic arthritis, a seronegative spondyloarthropathy associated with psoriasis, presenting with enthesitis, peripheral arthritis, dactylitis, and axial involvement.
Why is it called so?:
Whiskering refers to the irregular, fluffy, whisker-like projections of periosteal new bone formation emanating from tendon and ligament insertions, resembling whiskers on a face.
Pathophysiology:
Chronic inflammation at entheses leads to periosteal reaction with fluffy ossification and proliferation at sites of tendon/ligament attachment, driven by cytokines and mechanical stress in psoriatic arthritis.
Alternative names: None
Other associated named signs: Mouse ear sign, pencil-in-cup deformity, sausage digit
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