Sclerosing bone dysplasias: a pictorial essay.

Sclerosing bone dysplasias encompass abnormalities in bone density, divided into hereditary and nonhereditary forms. Primarily diagnosed through radiography, they are often incidental findings. Among the hereditary forms, the following stand out: osteopetrosis, osteopoikilosis, multiple diaphyseal sclerosis (ribbing disease), osteopathia striata, and Camurati-Engelmann disease. Among the nonhereditary forms, intramedullary osteosclerosis and melorheostosis present specific radiographic characteristics. The main differential diagnoses include osteoblastic metastases, tuberous sclerosis, and renal osteodystrophy, requiring careful differentiation because of their similarities.