Osteoid in bones of elderly patients without bone disease

Bone samples were taken at post-mortem examination by Jamshidi needles from 88 elderly patients who were known to have normal bone biochemistry in life. The extent of osteoid in these samples is quantitatively described. In patients with normal creatinines the relative osteoid area ranges from 0 to 3.7% and trabecular osteoid surface percentage ranges from 0 to 23%, but higher values were seen in those with raised creatinines. Osteoid extent did not vary with age, sex or time of year. Descriptions of other series of control bone biopsies in the literature are reviewed and it is suggested that relative osteoid area greater than 3.5% or osteoid surfaces greater than 25% should be considered excess osteoid.