Abstract:
Two males, aged 33, with progressive pains in the spine are described as well as with high degree osteoporosis, compressive fractures of several vertebrae and a rapid evolution of the changes. The values of serum calcium and phosphorus as well as alkaline phosphatase proved to be normal. Excretion of calcium and hydroxyproline in urine were also normal, whereas phosphorus excretion was increased. It was concluded that the case concerned idiopathic osteoporosis in early age, with unknown pathogenesis. The carried out treatment with vit. D and sodium fluoride in the course of one year impeded the evolution of the bone changes in the second patient, while the anabolizing treatment in the first patient was without any effect.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Remodeling
Bone Formation by Intramembranous Ossification
The process begins when mesenchymal cells in the embryonic skeleton gather together and differentiate into osteogenic cells, which then develop into...
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification


