[Osteomalacia after intestinal operations--therapeutic effect of calcitriol. Report of a case]

An 82-year-old woman, with clinically and histologically documented osteomalacia associated with a history of several gastrointestinal operations and malabsorption, was successfully treated with low dose calcitriol. Osteomalacia, with particular reference to the gastrointestinal type, and the role of vitamin D and its metabolites are discussed. Therapy with calcitriol is compared with conventional vitamin D treatment. Calcitriol should be considered in the treatment of osteomalacia induced by gastrointestinal disorders.