[Bone complications of fluorotherapy: influence of androgen deficiency]

The use of sodium fluoride for treatment of osteoporosis has led to the arousal of particular complications: osteomalacia and cortical bone fractures which are enhanced by preexisting bone diseases. We report the case of a 55 years old female suffering from autoimmune Addison disease since 10 years and menopaused since 7 years. After an 18 month treatment by sodium fluoride for osteoporosis she presented radiographic, scannographic and scintigraphic evidences of unexpected stress fractures of several ribs, of the sacral part of the left sacro-iliac joint, of the symphyseal joint. The sodium fluoride treatment associated to the lack of adrenal androgens are responsible for the onset of pelvic stress fractures which usually occur in elderly subjects.