The efficacy of various treatment modalities on aluminium associated bone disease

We have studied the effects of desferrioxamine (DFO) or successful renal transplantation on eight patients identified as having aluminium associated bone disease. All patients showed dramatic subjective improvement in their bone pain and/or fractures. All histological parameters studied improved, with the more normal bone being found in the transplanted patients. Bone aluminium fell by at least 50 per cent. Biochemically, increased bone activity was indicated by a rising alkaline phosphatase. This was particularly marked in the DFO treated group who tended to show the development of hyperparathyroidism.