Osteitis deformans

Osteitis deformans, also known as Paget's disease of bone, is a chronic bone disorder characterized by excessive abnormal bone remodeling. The disease typically begins with a stage of rapid (excessive) bone resorption, followed by a stage of increased bone formation. This results in a structurally disorganized mosaic of bone (woven bone), which is mechanically weaker, larger, less compact, more vascular, and more susceptible to fracture than normal adult lamellar bone.

Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms of osteitis deformans vary and are often absent. When symptoms do occur, they may include bone pain, joint pain (due to secondary osteoarthritis), bowing of long bones, and a high output cardiac failure due to shunting of blood through warm skin (due to increased vascularity of the affected bone).

Causes

The exact cause of osteitis deformans is unknown, but a viral cause has been suspected. There is a strong genetic component to the disease, and certain mutations have been linked to it.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of osteitis deformans is based on X-ray findings and increased alkaline phosphatase in the blood. Other tests such as bone scans may also be used.

Treatment

Treatment options for osteitis deformans include bisphosphonates, calcitonin, and surgery. Pain management is also an important part of treatment.

See Also

• Bone disease
• Bone remodeling
• Osteoarthritis

References

Osteitis deformans Resources
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