celery stick sign

A descriptor for a disorganized diaphysis and metaphysis with osteitis of long bones, seen in the distal femur and proximal tibia, where longitudinal radiolucent striations alternate with sclerotic bands; ‘celery stick’ changes are typical of children with rubella embryopathy, especially if infected in the 1st trimester
DiffDx Other transplacental infections—e.g., CMV, HSV, syphilis, toxoplasmosis (see TORCH)—malignancy—e.g., leukemia, neuroblastoma—systemic disease, scurvy, hypervitaminosis D, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis

celery stick sign

Pediatric radiology A descriptor for a disorganized diaphysis and metaphysis with osteitis of long bones, seen in the distal femur and proximal tibia, where longitudinal radiolucent striations alternate with sclerotic bands; 'celery stick' changes are typical of children with rubella embryopathy, especially if infected in the 1st trimester DiffDx Other transplacental infections–eg, CMV, HSV, syphilis, toxoplasmosis–see TORCH, malignancy–eg, leukemia, neuroblastoma, systemic disease, scurvy, hypervitaminosis D, osteogenesis imperfecta, osteoporosis.