What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Bone Islands

What is Enostosis? (Definition/Background Information)

• Enostosis are rare and benign bone lesions, which are often diagnosed incidentally during radiological studies for unrelated conditions
• Enostosis usually does not cause any significant signs and symptoms, since they are typically small-sized
• Enostosis was earlier classified as a benign bone tumor by World Health Organization (WHO), but has been now removed as a bone tumor from the recent WHO Classification of Bone Tumors

Who gets Enostosis? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Individuals in any age category may be affected
• Both males and females can get Enostosis
• Individuals of all races and ethnicity can be affected by the Enostosis
• The lesion can be seen world wide in distribution

What are the Risk Factors for Enostosis? (Predisposing Factors)

The common risk factors for Enostosis include:

• The presence of other Enostosis (multiple Enostosis)
• Osteopoikilosis: A rare inherited benign condition characterized by the presence of multiple Enostosis

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one’s chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Enostosis? (Etiology)

• The cause of Enostosis formation is unknown
• Some researchers believe that the lesion occurs due to developmental defects during fetal growth and development

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Enostosis?

• Enostosis does not cause any significant signs and symptoms, since they are usually small in size
• It is often diagnosed incidentally during radiological studies for unrelated conditions

How is Enostosis Diagnosed?

Enostosis may be diagnosed by the following observations and tests:

• Incidental diagnosis during radiological studies, such as X-rays and MRI scans, performed for other conditions. The condition is usually observed in the bones of the pelvis, spine, femur and the humerus (including other long bones) and ribs
• The differential diagnosis for the condition includes:
  • Osteoma
  • Osteoid osteoma
  • Osteoblastic metastasis
  • Low-grade osteosarcoma

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Enostosis?

• Enostosis is benign incidental bone lesion and there are no significant complications.
• Occasionally, Enostosis may cause a concern resulting in emotional stress, if they are mistaken for a tumor, especially when they are multiple lesions on radiological studies

How is Enostosis Treated?

• Enostosis does not typically require a treatment
• If the size of the lesion grows by over 50% in 1 year “OR” 25% in 6 years, then a biopsy should be considered

How can Enostosis be Prevented?

There are no methods to prevent Enostosis, since it occurs as developmental defect during fetal growth.

What is the Prognosis of Enostosis? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

• The prognosis of the Enostosis is excellent, since it is a benign condition causing no significant symptoms or complications
• Any bone lesions that show rapid growth need to be investigated thoroughly

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Enostosis:

Please visit our Cancer & Benign Tumor Health Center for more physician-approved health information:

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/cancer/