Paget's disease of the bone

Question 1

What is paget’s disease of the bone?

Answer 1

• Paget’s disease of the bone – increased bone turnover causing bone remodelling

Question 2

What investigations are carried out for paget’s disease of the bone?

Answer 2

• Bloods:
  
  • Raised ALP
• Radiographs will show enlargement/deformity of the bone with patchy cortical thickening and sclerosis (skull often shows characteristic cotton wooling appearance)

Question 3

What are the complications of paget’s disease of the bone?

Answer 3

• Deafness (due to nerve compression)
• Pathological fractures
• Bone sarcoma (1% of cases over 10 years)

Question 4

How is paget’s disease of the bone treated?

Answer 4

Bisphosphonates