



Growth Arrest Lines

Growth Recovery Lines, Harris Lines, Park Lines



General Considerations



Dense metaphyseal, trabecular lines

Seen in children but persist into adulthood

First thought to represent periods of nutritional deprivation or infectious pathogens during the time of bone growth May occur after prolonged immobilization or generalized illness

During these periods, bone growth is presumed to slow down

The lines do not become visible until after normal growth resumes

Subsequent investigation does not confirm a definitive relationship between their occurrence and episodes of deprivation but of periods of rapid growth Clinical Findings Prolonged previous illness or infectious disease Imaging Findings Symmetrical, thin white lines

Perpendicular to long axis of bone

Metaphyseal at first

Most marked in rapidly growing ends of bones, e.g. distal femur and proximal tibia

They migrate towards the diaphysis with further growth and may disappear

Growth Arrest/Recovery Lines. Transverse dense lines (black arrows) perpendicular to the long axis of the bone in the metaphysis and migrate towards the diaphysis with growth may indicate a previous prolonged illness or debilitating state.

For more information, click on the link if you see this icon

For this same photo without the annotations, click here Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Growth and Development. Ulijaszek S, Johnston F and Preece P. Cambridge University Press, 1998















