[Paget's disease of the bones: diagnosis and treatment]

Paget's disease of bone affects one or more bones and is characterized by increased bone turnover (remodelling) with hypertrophy and abnormal bone structure with diminished strength leading to deformity and fracture. The cause of the disease is not known, possibly is a slow virus infection. For diagnosis and follow-up the conventional bone markers, serum alkaline phosphatase and urine hydroxyproline, are still useful. Paget's disease cannot be cured, but it may be suppressed. Specific drug treatment aims at reducing the increased bone remodelling. New and potent biphosphonates enable early and more effective treatment of Paget's disease than in the past and better prevention of late complications of the disease.