Epiphyseal lesions (mnemonic)

The differential diagnosis for epiphyseal lesions can be recalled with mnemonics for the most common entities:

• Chondroblastoma IS AGE-related

See the separate article for the full list: epiphyseal lesions (differential).

Mnemonics

Chondroblastoma IS AGE-related

This mnemonic notes the fact that the appropriate differential changes with the age of the patient, with chondroblastoma being the most common primary neoplasm in this region in children.

• Chondroblastoma and other chondrogenic tumors (enchondroma, clear cell chondrosarcoma)
• I: infection (osteomyelitis)
• S: subchondral cyst/cystlike lesion (geode)
• A: avascular necrosis (subchondral osteonecrosis) and osteochondral lesions (e.g., osteochondritis dissecans)
• G: giant cell tumor
• E: eosinophilic granuloma

An alternative is the following :

• Chondroblastoma
• I: infection or infarction
• S: solitary/simple bone cyst
• A: aneurysmal bone cyst
• G: giant cell tumor or geode
• E: enchondroma or eosinophilic granuloma