Renal osteodystrophy in end-stage renal failure

Renal osteodystrophy has many skeletal pathologic features, eg, fibroosteoclasia (osteitis fibrosa), osteomalacia, osteopenia, pseudofracture, cyst formation, and osteosclerosis. Many of these are caused by the secondary hyperparathyroidism that usually accompanies renal failure. Derangements in parathyroid hormone secretion, calcium and phosphate metabolism, and renal production of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (the most active form of vitamin D) are all interrelated and pathogenetic features of renal osteodystrophy. Types of abnormalities detected radiologically vary with patient age, type of management, and duration of hemodialysis, as well as with techniques and type of film used and interest of the radiologist. An x-ray film of the hands should always be made--it will show subperiosteal resorption in a large number of patients on dialysis. Prevention and management of renal osteodystrophy hinge on control of hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia.