Haemophilia imaging: a review

Skeletal Radiol. 2009 Oct;38(10):949-57. doi: 10.1007/s00256-008-0586-5. Epub 2008 Sep 20.

Abstract

Haemophilia disorders are characterised by a blood coagulation anomaly leading to prolonged and excessive bleeding. Imaging provides an essential role in the investigation of both the musculoskeletal and the non-musculoskeletal complications of haemophilia. Our institution is home to a large tertiary referral centre for haemophilia treatment. Using our broad experience, we present a multi-modality pictorial review of the musculoskeletal manifestations of haemophilia, including haemophilic arthropathy, intra-muscular haemorrhage and haemophilic pseudotumour. The main imaging features of haemophilic arthropathy are described, including synovial hypertrophy, haemosiderin deposition, sub-chondral cyst formation and loss of joint space.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bone Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Bone Diseases / etiology*
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Hemophilia A / complications*
  • Hemophilia A / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Muscular Diseases / etiology*