Histologic studies in the chondrodystrophies

The classification of the chondrodystrophies, a heterogeneous group of disorders, has been based entirely on clinical, genetic and radiographic criteria. This report represents the first attempt to differentiate between these disorders on the basis of chondroosseous histopathology. Chondroosseous tissue was examined from autopsy material or biopsies of rib and iliac crest from numerous patients with various of the chondrodystrophies. Histopathologic studies demonstrate that the majority of the chondrodystrophies are associated with distinct abnormalities in chondroosseous histopathology. In some disorders, the histopathologic abnormalities appear to be characteristic and can be used as diagnostic criteria, in other instances, the morphologic abnormalities are not specific, and in still other disorders, no abnormalities in chondroosseous morphology can be discerned.