[Morphometric analysis of periosteocytic osteolysis: its application to the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism]

The authors indicate the required methodologic conditions for the morphometric analysis of periosteocytic osteolysis, a reliable and specific feature of overactivity of the parathyroid gland. Indeed, significant periosteocytic enlargement has been found in 101 113 cases of primary hyperparathyroidism compared to 92 reference cases. The measurement of the size of the periosteocytic lacunae may be carried out either on hand of a micrometric eyepiece or of a picture analyser. It has to be carried out on decalcified bone sections of 5 microns thickness and it is necessary to measure at least 50 lacunae. The decalcification process unmasks an already partially decalcified crown of periosteocytic bone tissue the thickness of which is more important in the hyperparathyroidal bone than in normal bone. This zone has a peculiar collagen texture. The measurement of the peri-osteocytic enlargement is easy on stained sections of decalcified bone or on microradiographs of non-decalcified bone and, contrariwise, very dubious on stained sections of non-decalcified bone.