Osteitis fibrosa cystica

• What is Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)
• Statistics on Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)
• Risk Factors for Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)
• Progression of Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)
• Symptoms of Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)
• Clinical Examination of Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)
• How is Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica) Diagnosed?
• Prognosis of Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)
• How is Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica) Treated?
• Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica) References

What is Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)

Osteitis fibrosa is a complication of hyperparathyroidism (excess parathryroid hormone production) in which bone is softened, deformed and has the potential to develop cysts.

Statistics on Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)

Before the 1950’s, approxiamately half of the people diagnosed with hyperparathyroidism were also diagnosed with osteitis fibrosa. Now it is uncommon (less than 10% of people with hyperparathyroidism) because patients are diagnosed earlier and have milder elevations of calcium.

Risk Factors for Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)

People with severe hyperparathyroidism, or those who have parathyroid cancer, are more at risk for developing osteitis fibrosa.

Progression of Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)

The bone problems associated with the disorder osteitis fibrosa are usually reversible with surgery, except in the case of fluid filled cysts, which require non-surgical attention.

How is Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica) Diagnosed?

Blood tests show a high level of calcium and alkaline phosphatase (a bone chemical). Phosphorus may be low. The level of parathyroid hormone is elevated.

Prognosis of Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica)

The bone problems associated with the disorder osteitis fibrosa are usually reversible with surgery, except in the case of fluid filled cysts, which require non-surgical attention.

How is Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica) Treated?

The main treatment for hyperparathyroidism is surgery to remove the abnormal parathyroid gland(s).

Newer techniques use radioactive tracers and rapid parathyroid hormone blood tests to make the surgery quicker and easier. If surgery is not possible, drugs can sometimes be used to lower calcium levels.

Osteitis fibrosa (Osteitis fibrosa cystica) References

[1] MEDLINE Plus
[2] University of Arkansas Medical Science Department
[3] University of Minnesota Pediatrics Department