Calvarial doughnut lesions associated with high-turnover osteoporosis presenting in childhood

Osteogenesis imperfecta and juvenile osteoporosis are two well-described syndromes of osteoporosis presenting in childhood. There are also several references in the radiology literature to calvarial doughnut lesions (CDLs), areas of radiolucency surrounded by a dense and well-defined area of sclerotic bone, either as an incidental finding or associated with childhood fracture. We have characterized the metabolic abnormalities in a 13-yr-old boy with CDLs and multiple fractures and followed him during his progression through puberty. The patient's paternal grandmother; father; and paternal aunt, uncle, and first cousin were similarly affected, and a mandibular lesion in the uncle was pathologically described as fibrous dysplasia. The subject's physical examination was significant for bony protuberances of the skull and normal hearing, sclearal hue, dentition, and joint flexibility. Radiographs revealed calvarial CDLs and osteopenia which was confirmed by bone mineral density (BMD) testing. Biochemical markers of bone formation and resorption were elevated compared to normal adult and a transiliac crest bone biopsy confirmed high-turnover osteoporosis. Over 6 yr, with no specific therapy, BMD gradually normalized, but the CDLs increased in size, bone turnover remained elevated by biochemical markers, and he continued to fracture. The subject's affected father and maternal grandmother had normal BMD and no history of adult fracture. CDLs with high-turnover osteoporosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pediatric osteoporosis. During puberty the BMD normalizes but the high-turnover state persists, and the propensity to fracture eventually decreases in older affected adults. The CDLs may be a variant of fibrous dysplasia, and further study is necessary in order to elucidate the stimulus for increased bone turnover and the familial nature of this syndrome.