It is a rare, non-hereditary lesion that affects both sexes. It is usually apparent in early childhood and even in the first few days of life. The classic radiographic appearance is that of sclerotic lesions of bones that look like wax dripping down the side of a candle. With an estimated incidence of 0.9 cases per million persons, it can be estimated that there are approximately 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 persons with meloreostosis currently alive in developed countries. Patients with meloreostosis may have associated cutaneous and soft tissue lesions such as vascular malformations, neurofibromatosis, hemangioma, arterial aneurysms, linear scleroderma and focal subcutaneous fibrosis.
Adults generally complain of pain, joint stiffness, and progressive deformity.
In children the condition affects mainly the bones of the extremities and pelvis, and may result in limb length inequality, deformity, or joint contractures. Joint contractures may be accompanied by extraosseous bone formation. The lesions often follow the distribution of a single sclerotome. One or several bones may be involved, and the lesions may affect only one side of a bone or group of adjacent bones. Biopsy shows variable degree of marrow fibrosis, along with markedly irregular bone with mixed areas of lamellar and woven bone.