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Updated: May 30, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mineral density, bone turnover markers and fractures in patients with indolent systemic mastocytosis
Maurizio Rossini1, Roberta Zanotti, Patrizia Bonadonna
1Rheumatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona, Italy. maurizio.rossini@univr.it
Objective:
We systematically assessed bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers (BTM), and fractures in a large cohort of patients with Indolent Systemic Mastocytosis (ISM).
Methods:
Eighty-two patients (mean age 48 years, 37 women) with ISM were studied. BMD was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry at the lumbar spine and proximal hip. The serum markers of bone turnover included bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, C-telopeptides of type I collagen, and serum osteocalcin. Previous clinical fractures were registered and spine X-ray was obtained from all patients.
Results:
Three women were excluded for concomitant diseases associated to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis according with the WHO classification (T-score<-2.5) was found in 16 patients (20.0%) (7 females and 9 men). Mastocytosis-related low BMD (Z-score at either the spine or the hip<-2) was found in 3 women (9%) and 13 men (28%). The BMD was generally lower at the spine than at the hip. No significant correlation was observed between serum tryptase levels and T or Z-score BMD. One or more moderate or severe vertebral fractures were found in 17 patients (12 men); in 11 of them Z-score values were>-2 or not valuable at the spine. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of mastocytosis-related low BMD and/or vertebral fractures between patients with or without skin involvement. Two patients had radiographic and densitometric osteosclerosis-like characteristics. In osteoporotic patients higher, normal or lower serum BTM were found, without correlations with serum tryptase levels, while in patients with osteosclerosis both BTM and serum tryptase values were particularly increased.
Conclusions:
Vertebral osteoporosis and fractures are frequent in patients with ISM. Spine X-ray and densitometric examination are warranted in all patients, also without skin involvement and particularly in males; Z-score other than T-score BMD must be evaluated. Patients with idiopathic osteoporosis should be evaluated for mast cell disease. Both high than low BTM can be observed in patients with osteoporosis while osteosclerosis is characterized by high bone turnover and serum tryptase levels.
