Radiologic features:
(1) They consist of one or more radiopaque transverse lines in the metaphysis of bones.
(2) The thickness is proportionate to the growth rate of the bone (thin in slowly growing bones, thick in rapidly growing bones).
(3) They can be detected for a longer period with MRI.
(4) They can result in a "bone-within-a-bone".
They always originate while the skeleton is developing but they may persist into adulthood.
Conditions associated with Harris lines:
(1) trauma, including fracture
(2) serious infection
(3) malnutrition or starvation
(4) chemotherapy or toxic exposure
(5) severe metabolic disturbance
(6) any significant systemic stress
There may be some similarities with Beau's lines in fingernails.
