[Treatment of 10 cases of symptomatic Paget's disease with etidronate (EHDP)]

10 patients with active symptomatic Paget's disease of bone have been treated for 6 months with disodium etidronate (EHDP) at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day. A statistically significant fall in the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline was observed. However, only 2 patients experienced a significant reduction of bone pain. 6 patients were partially improved and 2 patients showed no change. Iliac crest biopsies after treatment demonstrated dimunution of the abnormal structure of the pagetic bone, but also a considerable increase in unmineralized osteoid borders. The future potentialities for treatment of Paget's disease are discussed.