Gull Wing Erosion is a radiographic sign of which condition?

Gull Wing Erosion is a radiographic sign of which condition?

• A. Ewing Sarcoma
• B. Metastatic disease
• C. Erosive Osteoarthritis
• D. Osteopetrosis

Answer: (C)

Gull-wing erosion is a radiographic hallmark of erosive osteoarthritis of the hands. It happens when the articular surfaces in the interphalangeal joints develop central erosions with surrounding marginal osteophyte formation, producing a wing-like, gull-wing appearance on X-ray. This pattern reflects inflammatory destruction of the joint cartilage with ensuing bone remodeling, which helps distinguish erosive OA from other conditions. For comparison, Ewing sarcoma and metastatic disease show more aggressive, often widespread bone destruction with soft-tissue involvement, while osteopetrosis causes diffuse bone sclerosis rather than focal joint erosions.

Gull-wing erosion is a radiographic hallmark of erosive osteoarthritis of the hands. It happens when the articular surfaces in the interphalangeal joints develop central erosions with surrounding marginal osteophyte formation, producing a wing-like, gull-wing appearance on X-ray. This pattern reflects inflammatory destruction of the joint cartilage with ensuing bone remodeling, which helps distinguish erosive OA from other conditions. For comparison, Ewing sarcoma and metastatic disease show more aggressive, often widespread bone destruction with soft-tissue involvement, while osteopetrosis causes diffuse bone sclerosis rather than focal joint erosions.