Post-gastrectomy bone disease undiagnosed for forty years.

ABSTRACT

Polya partial gastrectomy was performed for peptic ulcer in a previously healthy woman aged 28 years. She complained afterwards of a variety of non-specific symptoms including weakness, tiredness, debility, slowness of walking, poor appetite and constipation. Within ten years her back became bent. She was treated for intercurrent hypertension and epilepsy. Bone fractures on low-impact trauma occurred in her fifties. At 57 years, she was unable to care for herself and had to be admitted to a nursing home. She could still walk slowly with the aid of a stick. For three months at the age of 65 years, she was unable to rise from her chair. Investigations disclosed severe post-gastrectomy bone disease. At no time had she complained of bone pains.