Combined hemofiltration and desferrioxamine treatment for aluminum induced osteomalacia

A 61-year-old male hemodialysis patient developed the syndrome of aluminum intoxication including bone pain, fractures, proximal myopathy, progressive anemia and expressive aphasia. Serum aluminum was 130 micrograms/l and rose to 445 micrograms/l after the administration of 2 grams of desferrioxamine. Bone biopsy of the iliac crest revealed severe osteomalacia, heavy staining for aluminum and a bone aluminum content of 229 mg/kg dry bone. Treatment with combined hemofiltration and desferrioxamine administration led to a marked clinical improvement and a repeat bone biopsy striking healing of the osteomalacia with a bone aluminum content of 11 mg/kg dry bone.