Osteomalacia

Case contributed by Dalia Ibrahim
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Pelvic pain.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years
Gender: Female
x-ray
  • triradiate appearance of the pelvis with bilateral protrusio acetabuli

  • osteopenic texture of the examined bones with coarse trabeculae

  • right superior and inferior pubic rami Looser's zones

  • subchondral bone absorption of sacroiliac joints (more on the right)

mri

MRI exam of the pelvis showed:

  • triradiate appearance of the pelvis with bilateral protrusio acetabuli

  • right superior and inferior pubic rami Looser's zones. Also note the marrow edema of the left femoral neck, likely stress fracture

  • subchondral bone absorption of sacroiliac joints (more on the right)

Annotated image

Red arrows: represent stress fractures (looser's zones).

Yellow arrows: represent subchondral bony resorption at the sacroiliac joint.

Case Discussion

The patient had a history of chronic renal disease.

Osteomalacia is bone softening due to insufficient mineralization of the osteoid secondary to any process that results in vitamin D deficiency or defects in phosphate metabolism.

Radiographic features (musculoskeletal)

There can be variable appearances dependant on the cause :

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