Brown tumour as a complication of secondary hyperparathyroidism in severe long-lasting vitamin D deficiency rickets

Brown tumour is a localised form of fibrous-cystic osteitis associated with primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism. Despite the fact that secondary hyperparathyroidism occurs in vitamin D deficiency rickets, no cases of rickets with brown tumour have so far been described. We present a 2.9-year-old girl who had brown tumour of the mandible due to severe vitamin D deficiency rickets. Treatment with vitamin D3 corrected the hyperparathyroidism rapidly which was followed by gradual regression in tumour size.

Brown tumour can develop in severe, long-standing vitamin D deficiency rickets and responds to vitamin D treatment.