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Paget disease of the spine: an evaluation of 101 patients with a histomorphometric analysis of 29 cases

Pestka JM, Seitz S, Zustin J, Püschel K, Amling M, Barvencik F

European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2012

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Paget's disease of bone (PDB) is the second most frequent metabolic bone disease with the spine being a common site of manifestation. Still, neither the disease's etiology nor reasons for its manifestation at preferred skeletal sites are understood. The aim of the current study was therefore to perform a histologic and histomorphometric analysis of PBD biopsies of the spine to achieve a more detailed understanding concerning PDB activity and characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Out of 754 cases with histologically proven PDB, 101 cases were identified to have involvement of the spine. A total of 29 individual vertebral body biopsies were available for histologic and histomorphometric analysis and were compared to age- and sex-matched spinal bone specimens obtained from skeletal-intact individuals at autopsy. Histomorphometric results were correlated with vertebral body height, disease location and iliac crest biopsies.

RESULTS: In the majority of patients, PDB was located in the lumbar spine (62.2%). The cervical spine was affected in 8.2% of all cases with involvement of the second vertebral body (C2) in every other case. In comparison to age-matched individuals, histomorphometric analysis of vertebral body biopsies revealed a significant increase both in trabecular bone volume as well as osteoid parameters. In comparison to histomorphometric data obtained for extra-spinal skeletal locations affected by PDB (iliac crest), no differences in bone…

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Evidence Hub reads this as a case-control, done in people. Its evidence level is 4 of 5 (Low · observational). Observational designs can show an association but not prove cause.

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