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Gorham's disease of femur

Asif Nazir Baba1, Yasmeen J Bhat, Simon D Paljor

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, SKIMS Medical College, Srinagar, India.

Indian Journal of Orthopaedics
|December 7, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Gorham's disease, a rare bone disorder causing osteolysis, can affect the femur. This case study shows radiotherapy and bisphosphonates successfully halted femur osteolysis in a young female patient.

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedics
  • Rare bone diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Gorham's disease (vanishing bone disease) is a rare skeletal disorder.
  • Characterized by massive, progressive osteolysis (bone loss).
  • Femur involvement is exceptionally rare, with fewer than 200 cases reported globally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report an uncommon case of Gorham's disease affecting the femur.
  • To highlight the diagnostic challenges and successful management of this rare condition.

Main Methods:

  • Case report of a young female with pathological femur fracture.
  • Diagnosis confirmed via clinical, pathological, and radiological evaluation.
  • Treatment involved radiotherapy (40 Gys) and bisphosphonate therapy.

Main Results:

  • Rapid osteolysis of the femur was observed.
  • Disease progression halted after treatment.
  • Partial recalcification of the affected femur occurred at 2-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Gorham's disease can present as a pathological fracture of the femur.
  • Radiotherapy and bisphosphonates offer a viable treatment strategy.
  • Successful management can halt osteolysis and promote bone regeneration.

Keywords:
FemurGorham's diseaseosteolysisradiotherapy

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