Celery Stalk Metaphysis

Celery stalk metaphysis, also known as celery stalking, refers to irregular and frayed metaaphyseal margins with bands of radiolucency in the long bones. This appearance can be seen with congenital rubella, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasma, or syphilis infection.

To confuse matters, there is a celery stalk appearance in osteopathia striata, a rare asymptomatic condition or unknown heredity. Dense linear striations extend from the metaphyses into the diaphyses of tubular bones (the celery) or in a fanlike or in a "sunburst" pattern in flat bones such as the ilium. Usually bilateral.

Finally, these should not be confused with the celery stalk sign of the anterior cruciate ligament, discussed earlier.

References

• Pediatric radiology: the requisites By Johan G. Blickman, Bruce R. Parker, Patrick D. Barnes
• Roche CJ, O'Keeffe DP, Lee WK, Duddalwar VA, Torreggiani WC, Curtis JM. Selections from the buffet of food signs in radiology. Radiographics. 2002 Nov-Dec;22(6):1369-84.