Osteomalacia of Unknown Etiology

Abstract

OSTEOMALACIA is a generalized disease of bone characterized by lack of calcification of a presumably normal osteoid matrix. The chemical changes in the serum are usually diagnostic and consist of a normal or low serum calcium, a low or normal serum inorganic phosphorus and an elevated serum alkaline phosphatase. In all cases the product of the serum calcium and serum phosphorus is decreased.¹ Radiologically, there may be generalized decreased bony density or the isolated lines of decalcification (the "pseudofractures" first described by Looser²) or both.The causes of osteomalacia can usually be determined readily. They may be classified into . . .