Abstract
The tetracycline antibiotics incorporate into bone similar to bisphosphonates. Tetracycline
stains bone a fluorescent yellow and minocycline, more commonly used for chronic acne,
stains bone dark green. Owing to its frequent use, the occurrence of green bone discoloration
due to antibiotics in the tetracycline class is well understood. Its pigmentation
can be seen through delicate, thin tissue as a dark blue-gray. Histologic inspection
of this bone will confirm a benign condition without evidence of bone disease. Although
yellow and green discoloration has been documented frequently in association with
oral surgery, it has been reported less commonly in the lower extremity. Green discoloration
of bone has rarely been reported in the foot and ankle. Unlike other forms of hyperpigmentation
of the skin and bone, this entity is benign when resulting from tetracycline therapy.
It is always prudent to have a clinical correlate for an unusual discoloration or
hyperpigmentation of any tissue when it exists. In the absence of a definitive clinical
correlation, a biopsy is warranted. The following case studies provide a pictoral
of green bone as it was encountered in the foot and ankle of 2 young adult females
undergoing surgery.
Level of Clinical Evidence
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 07, 2018
Footnotes
Financial Disclosure: None reported.
Conflict of Interest: None reported.
Identification
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© 2018 by the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons. All rights reserved.
