Periosteal Reactions and Its Significance

The periosteum covering the bony cortex consists of an outer and inner layer. The inner layer of the periosteum is the site of separation and subperiosteal haemorrhage because it's less adherent. When the bone is insulted, it results in periosteal reaction. There are different variables that affect the periosteal response appearance like the rapidity of the phase of the disease, intensity, duration of the injury and age of the patient. The appearance and the pattern of periosteal reaction aids the imaging characterization of bone lesions and assesses their aggressiveness and their differential diagnosis, but not specific for a particular diagnosis. This article outlines the forms and patterns of periosteal responses that can guide to the diagnosis of underlying disease process.