Osteomalacia - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Vitamin D deficiency is the most common cause of osteomalacia.
Patients frequently complain of diffuse bony pain with a history of limited sunlight exposure.
Proximal muscle weakness, spinal tenderness to percussion, pseudofractures, and skeletal deformities are found commonly.
Diagnosis is made via laboratory results with a low vitamin D level in the setting of low or normal calcium and an elevated intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) level.
Once the underlying cause is addressed, a successful treatment regimen is possible: increased sunlight exposure, oral vitamin D, and calcium replacement.

Photomicrography of a transilial bone biopsy in a patient with osteomalacia demonstrating unmineralized osteoid (shown in purple). The width of the osteoid seams is substantially increased

From the collection of Bridget Sinnott, MD; used with permission

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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

$Radiograph of the femoral shaft in a patient with osteomalacia demonstrating a "pseudofracture" (als$
Radiograph of the femoral shaft in a patient with osteomalacia demonstrating a "pseudofracture" (also known as Looser zone) on the medial aspect of the mid-femoral shaft
Photomicrography of a normal transilial bone biopsy demonstrating mineralized osteoid (shown in purple)
Photomicrography of a transilial bone biopsy in a patient with osteomalacia demonstrating unmineralized osteoid (shown in purple). The width of the osteoid seams is substantially increased

Citations

Key Articles

Holick MF, Brinkley NC, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, et al. Evaluation, treatment, and prevention of vitamin D deficiency: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2011;96:1911-1930.[Abstract][Full Text]

Referenced Articles

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