Os Intermetatarseum
Description
General
- Accessory ossicle found between metatarsals
- Usually asymptomatic and incidental finding
Gross Anatomy
- Most commonly located between the first and second metatarsal
- Reported to occur near metatarsal heads, between fourth and fifth metatarsal base
Epidemiology
- Radiographic studies estimate prevalence at 1-7%[4]
- Anatomic studies demonstrate a higher prevalence of up to 13%[5]
Classification
- Free standing: completely independent ossicle, does not show any osseous or articular connection with any structure
- Articulating: may form a synovial joint with first or second metatarsal or the medial cuneiform
- Fused: forms a spur that is seen as a bony projection in the first and second intermetatarsal space
Imaging
- Best seen on AP foot radiographs
- Appearance is oval, round, bean-shaped
- May also appear as spindle-shaped, attached to metatarsal
Pathology
- Rarely has associated pathology
- May be confused with a metatarsal fracture, lisfranc injury
Clinical Significance
- Needs to be updated
See Also
References
- ↑ Nwawka, O. Kenechi, et al. "Sesamoids and accessory ossicles of the foot: anatomical variability and related pathology." Insights into imaging 4 (2013): 581-593.
- ↑ Case courtesy of Andrew Murphy, Radiopaedia.org, rID: 99467
- ↑ Osiowski, Aleksander, et al. "The prevalence and clinical considerations of Os Vesalianum Pedis: A meta-analysis." Foot and Ankle Surgery (2025).
- ↑ Lawson, Jack P. "International Skeletal Society Lecture in honor of Howard D. Dorfman. Clinically significant radiologic anatomic variants of the skeleton." AJR. American journal of roentgenology 163.2 (1994): 249-255.
- ↑ Miller, Theodore T. "Painful accessory bones of the foot." Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology. Vol. 6. No. 02. Copyright© 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.:+ 1 (212) 584-4662, 2002.