Magnetic resonance imaging appearance of scurvy with gelatinous bone marrow transformation.

Abstract

Scurvy is a lethal but treatable disease that is rare in industrialized countries. Caused by vitamin C deficiency, it is most prevalent in persons of low socioeconomic status and smokers. Low levels of circulating vitamin C result in poor collagen fiber formation that, in turn, leads to demineralized bones, microfractures, and poor healing. Here we report a case of scurvy in a 5-year-old boy with normal radiographs in whom initial concern for leukemia based upon magnetic resonance imaging and clinical presentation led to a bone marrow biopsy revealing gelatinous transformation.