Histomorphometric analysis of patients with femoral neck fracture and 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency: a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D deficiency causes osteoporosis, bone mineralization disorders, and osteomalacia. Osteomalacia is diagnosed using blood biochemical tests, clinical symptoms, and imaging; however, accurate detection of mineralization disorders requires tissue observation. We investigated the prevalence of bone mineralization disorders and their relationship with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels in patients with untreated osteoporosis with femoral neck fractures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A non-demineralized specimen was prepared from the femoral head removed during surgery in 65 patients. Bone histomorphometry of cancerous bone in the femoral head center was conducted. Osteoid volume per bone volume (OV/BV) and osteoid thickness (O.Th) were measured as indicators of mineralization disorder. RESULTS: The mean serum 25OHD level (11.9 ± 5.7 ng/mL) was in the deficiency range (< 12 ng/mL). There were no clinically diagnosed cases of osteomalacia (OV/BV > 10% and O.Th > 12.5 µm); however, one case of mineralization disorder, considered histologically pre-osteomalacia (OV/BV > 5% and O.Th < 12.5 µm), was observed (OB/BV, 17.6%; O.Th, 12.3 µm). Excluding this case, those with severe (25OHD < 12 ng/mL, at risk of osteomalacia; n = 39) and non-severe deficiency (25OHD ≥ 12 ng/mL; n = 25) did not significantly differ in OV/BV (%; 0.77 ± 0.54 vs. 0.69 ± 0.38, p = 0.484) or O.Th (µm; 5.32 ± 1.04 vs. 5.13 ± 0.78, p = 0.410). Further, 25OHD and OV/BV were not significantly correlated (R = - 0.124, p = 0.327). CONCLUSION: This is the first study in the twenty-first century to examine serum 25OHD concentrations and bone mineralization disorders in Japanese patients with osteoporosis. The results indicate that vitamin D deficiency does not necessarily cause bone mineralization disorders and rarely leads to osteomalacia.

Osteomalacia Prevalence, Biochemical Profile, and Histology in Patients with Low-Energy Hip Fractures Over the Age of 45.

Our objective was to determine the prevalence of osteomalacia in low-energy hip fracture patients over the age of 45, based on biochemical and histological measures. This cross-sectional study included 72 patients over 45 with low-energy mechanism hip fractures. Samples of fasting venous blood were taken for hemograms and serum biochemistry analyses. Bicortical biopsies of the iliac crest were obtained, processed, and evaluated by an expert pathologist for osteomalacia. Biochemical osteomalacia (b-OM) is defined according to a distinct criterion. A low level of serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, and 25OHD was found in 43.1, 16.7, 73.6, and 59.7% of patients, respectively. 50.0% of patients had high serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. b-OM was found in 30 (41.7%), and no significant association was found with PTH, Cr, Alb, age, sex, fracture type, side of the trauma, and season were not associated with osteomalacia. Osteomalacia was diagnosed on histopathological analysis in 19/72 (26.7%), and 54/72 (75.0%) of all cases fulfilled b-OM criteria. In the histologic evaluation, osteoid seam width, osteoid surface, and osteoid volume were 28.5 µm, 25.6, and 12.1%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the biochemical test for detecting osteomalacia were 73.6, 64.2, 42.4, 87.2, and 66.7%, respectively. Up to 30% of elderly patients with low-energy hip fractures are affected by osteomalacia. A biochemical screening along with a bone biopsy and histopathologic evaluation may be logical in a high-risk population for osteomalacia diagnosis.

Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia: A Systematic Clinical Review of 895 Cases.

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare and largely underdiagnosed paraneoplastic condition. Previous reviews often reported incomplete data on clinical aspects, diagnosis or prognosis. The aim of this study was to present a systematic clinical review of all published cases of TIO. A search was conducted in Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science from inception until April 23rd, 2020. We selected case reports and case series of patients diagnosed with TIO, with information on tumor localization and serum phosphate concentration. Two reviewers independently extracted data on biochemical and clinical characteristics including bone involvement, tumor localization and treatment. 468 articles with 895 unique TIO cases were included. Median age was 46 years (range 9 months-90 years) and 58.3% were males. Hypophosphatemia and inappropriately low or normal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels, characteristic for TIO, were present in 98% of cases. Median tumor size was 2.7 cm (range 0.5 to 25.0 cm). Serum fibroblast growth factor 23 was related to tumor size (r = 0.344, P < 0.001). In 32% of the cases the tumor was detected by physical examination. Data on bone phenotype confirmed skeletal involvement: 62% of cases with BMD data had a T-score of the lumbar spine ≤ - 2.5 (n = 61/99) and a fracture was reported in at least 39% of all cases (n = 346/895). Diagnostic delay was longer than 2 years in more than 80% of cases. 10% were reported to be malignant at histology. In conclusion, TIO is a debilitating disease characterized by a long diagnostic delay leading to metabolic disturbances and skeletal impairment. Increasing awareness of TIO should decrease its diagnostic delay and the clinical consequences.

Intracranial phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors. A case report and review of literature.

Most osteomalacia-inducing tumors (OITs) are phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMTs) that secrete fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23). These tumors usually occur in the bone and soft tissues, and intracranial OITs are rare. Therefore, intracranial OIT is difficult to diagnose and treat. This paper presents a case of intracranial OIT and shows a review of previous cases. A 45-year-old man underwent nasal cavity biopsy and treatment with active vitamin D3 and neutral phosphate for hypophosphatemia. Amplification of FGF23 mRNA level within the tumor was detected. Subsequently, the surgical specimen was diagnosed with a PMT and was considered the cause of the patient's osteomalacia. The patient was referred to a neurosurgery department for the excision of the intracranial tumor extending to the nasal cavity. After tumor removal, the serum levels of FGF23 and phosphorus were normalized as compared to preoperative those. The patient remains disease-free, without additional treatment, approximately 10 years after surgery, with no tumor recurrence. As per the literature, intracranial OITs usually occur in patients aged 8-69 years. Bone and muscle pain are major complaints. Approximately 60% of the patients reported previously had symptoms because of intracranial tumors. In some cases, it took several years to diagnose OIT after the onset of the osteomalacia symptoms. Laboratory data in such cases show hypophosphatemia and elevated FGF23 levels. Because FGF23 levels are associated with the severity of osteomalacia symptoms, total tumor resection is recommended. PMT and hemangiopericytoma (HPC) are histologically similar, but on immunochemistry, PMT is negative for signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6), whereas HPC is positive. FGF23 amplification is seen in PMTs but not in HPCs. Therefore, the analysis of FGF23 and STAT6 was helpful in distinguishing PMTs from HPCs. In cases of hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia without a history of metabolic, renal, or malabsorptive diseases, the possibility of oncogenic osteomalacia should be considered.

Relationship between osteoid formation and iron deposition induced by chronic cadmium exposure in ovariectomized rats.

Itai-itai (Japanese, "It hurts! It hurts!") disease (IID), a form of osteomalacia, can be induced in ovariectomized rats by long-term administration of cadmium (Cd). This IID rat model shows severe anemia, severe nephropathy, and osteomalacia accompanied by iron (Fe) deposition at the mineralization front. We characterized the pathogenesis of Cd-induced bone lesions by investigating the relationship between Fe deposition and osteoid tissue formation in ovariectomized rats. The rats were injected with CdCl2 (0.5 mg/kg) for 70 weeks, with or without co-injection of erythropoietin (EPO) for varying lengths of time to elucidate whether EPO prevents and/or cures anemia, and, with the restoration from anemia, lessens the osteoid tissue formation. Necropsies were performed at 25, 50, or 70 weeks. Fe deposition at the mineralization front of bone was found at 50 weeks and increased thereafter. Animals injected with EPO showed decreased Fe deposition, although there was no relation between EPO administration and osteoid formation in the femur. Because the increase in bone lesion severity was independent of the amount of Fe deposition, we suggest that Fe deposition is not involved in the etiology of Cd-induced femoral bone lesions.

Clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical analysis of 13 cases of phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor - A holistic diagnostic approach.

BACKGROUND: Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor-mixed connective tissue (PMT-MCT) is a rare tumor characterized clinically by presence of tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO), subsequent to elevated fibroblastic growth factor 23 (FGF23) levels. This study aims to analyse the morphological spectrum of PMT along with clinico-pathological correlation and immunophenotype profile of this rare tumor. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Detailed histological analysis of all tumors presenting with TIO over past 7 years was done retrospectively. Immunohistochemistry was performed in all cases for SATB2, STAT6, CD34, FGF23, ERG, S100 and smooth muscle actin (SMA). RESULTS: A total of 13 cases were analysed (8 female and 5 male) with mean age of 39.8 years. Five cases were arising from bone while 4 each from soft tissue and nasal cavity/paranasal sinus. All presented with hypophosphatemia, hyperphosphaturia, elevated serum FGF23 and features suggestive of osteomalacia. Histological examination revealed basophilic 'grungy' calcification seen in 7 (53.8%), osteoid formation in 8 (61.5%), chondroid matrix in 4 (30.8%), adipose tissue in 6 (46.2%), osteoclast-like giant cells in 9 (69.2%) and hemangiopericytomatous (HPC like) blood vessels in 7 cases (53.8%). HPC like vessels and adipose tissue were more common in nasal tumors while calcification was more common in tumors arising from bone. All cases showed immunoreactivity for SATB2 and clinical improvement following resection except one case with residual tumor. CONCLUSION: PMT shows varied histological pattern with various matrix components depending on the site of the tumor. Serum FGF-23 is a useful adjunctive marker for diagnosis.

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors: radiological aspects and suggested imaging pathway.

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors (PMTs) are rare mesenchymal neoplasms of soft tissue or bone origin that can give rise to a challenge in diagnostic imaging. These tumors are frequently associated with tumor-induced osteomalacia, also called oncogenic osteomalacia, which is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by ectopic secretion of fibroblast growth factor 23, a hormone that regulates serum phosphate level. PMTs show polymorphic features on both radiological findings and histological examination, causing problems in diagnosis owing to their similarity with other mesenchymal tumors. Thus, this paper aims to describe radiological aspects of PMTs and suggest an imaging pathway for accurate diagnosis throughout the evidence from the literature review.

Phosphate Metabolism and Pathophysiology in Parathyroid Disorders and Endocrine Tumors.

The advent of new insights into phosphate metabolism must urge the endocrinologist to rethink the pathophysiology of widespread disorders, such as primary hyperparathyroidism, and also of rarer endocrine metabolic bone diseases, such as hypoparathyroidism and tumor-induced hypophosphatemia. These rare diseases of mineral metabolism have been and will be a precious source of new information about phosphate and other minerals in the coming years. The parathyroid glands, the kidneys, and the intestine are the main organs affecting phosphate levels in the blood and urine. Parathyroid disorders, renal tubule defects, or phosphatonin-producing tumors might be unveiled from alterations of such a simple and inexpensive mineral as serum phosphate. This review will present all these disorders from a 'phosphate perspective'.

Osteoidosis leads to altered differentiation and function of osteoclasts.

In patients with osteomalacia, a defect in bone mineralization leads to changed characteristics of the bone surface. Considering that the properties of the surrounding matrix influence function and differentiation of cells, we aimed to investigate the effect of osteoidosis on differentiation and function of osteoclasts. Based on osteomalacic bone biopsies, a model for osteoidosis in vitro (OIV) was established. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were differentiated to osteoclasts on mineralized surfaces (MS) as internal control and on OIV. We observed a significantly reduced number of osteoclasts and surface resorption on OIV. Atomic force microscopy revealed a significant effect of the altered degree of mineralization on surface mechanics and an unmasking of collagen fibres on the surface. Indeed, coating of MS with RGD peptides mimicked the resorption phenotype observed in OIV, suggesting that the altered differentiation of osteoclasts on OIV might be associated with an interaction of the cells with amino acid sequences of unmasked extracellular matrix proteins containing RGD sequences. Transcriptome analysis uncovered a strong significant up-regulation of transmembrane glycoprotein TROP2 in osteoclastic cultures on OIV. TROP2 expression on OIV was also confirmed on the protein level and found on the bone surface of patients with osteomalacia. Taken together, our results show a direct influence of the mineralization state of the extracellular matrix surface on differentiation and function of osteoclasts on this surface which may be important for the pathophysiology of osteomalacia and other bone disorders with changed ratio of osteoid to bone.

Clinical Characteristics and Bone Features of Autosomal Recessive Hypophosphatemic Rickets Type 1 in Three Chinese Families: Report of Five Chinese Cases and Review of the Literature.

Autosomal recessive hypophosphatemic rickets type 1 (ARHR1) was reported to be caused by homozygous mutation of dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP1). To date, very few cases have been reported. Here, we summarized clinical, laboratory and imaging findings of ARHR1 patients in our hospital. Literature review was performed to analyze genotype-phenotype correlation. Five Chinese patients from three unrelated pedigrees presented with lower extremity deformity and short stature. Hypophosphatemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase, high intact fibroblast growth factor 23 and sclerostin were found. X-ray uncovered coexistence of osteomalacia and osteosclerosis. Although areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of axial bone measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was relatively high in all patients, volumetric BMD (vBMD) and microstructure of one adult patient's peripheral bone detected by HR-pQCT were damaged. Mutation analyses of DMP1 revealed three homozygous mutations including two novel mutations, c.54 + 1G > C and c.94C > A (p.E32X), and a reported mutation c.184-1G > A. Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis including 30 cases (25 from literature review and 5 from our study) revealed that patients harboring mutations affecting C-terminal fragment of DMP1 presented with shorter stature (Z score of height = - 3.4 ± 1.6 vs - 1.0 ± 1.6, p = 0.001) and lower serum phosphate level (0.70 ± 0.15 vs 0.84 ± 0.16, p = 0.03) than those harboring mutations only affecting N-terminal fragment. In summary, we reported five Chinese ARHR1 patients and identified two novel DMP1 mutations. High aBMD and local osteosclerosis in axial bone with low vBMD and damaged microstructure in peripheral bone were featured. Genotype-phenotype correlation analysis confirmed the important role of C-terminal fragment of DMP1.

Mineralized tissues in hypophosphatemic rickets.

Hypophosphatemic rickets is caused by renal phosphate wasting that is most commonly due to X-linked dominant mutations in PHEX. PHEX mutations cause hypophosphatemia indirectly, through the increased expression of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) by osteocytes. FGF23 decreases renal phosphate reabsorption and thereby increases phosphate excretion. The lack of phosphate leads to a mineralization defect at the level of growth plates (rickets), bone tissue (osteomalacia), and teeth, where the defect facilitates the formation of abscesses. The bone tissue immediately adjacent to osteocytes often remains unmineralized ("periosteocytic lesions"), highlighting the osteocyte defect in this disorder. Common clinical features of XLH include deformities of the lower extremities, short stature, enthesopathies, dental abscesses, as well as skull abnormalities such as craniosynostosis and Chiari I malformation. For the past four decades, XLH has been treated by oral phosphate supplementation and calcitriol, which improves rickets and osteomalacia and the dental manifestations, but often does not resolve all aspects of the mineralization defects. A newer treatment approach using inactivating FGF23 antibodies leads to more stable control of serum inorganic phosphorus levels and seems to heal rickets more reliably. However, the long-term benefits of FGF23 antibody treatment remain to be elucidated.

Phosphaturic Mesenchymal Tumor of Soft Tissue of the Foot: Report of a Case With Review of the Literature.

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (PMT) is a rare neoplasm that ectopically secretes fibroblast growth factor 23, a bone cell-derived protein that regulates phosphate homeostasis. The overproduction of fibroblast growth factor 23 causes a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by hyperphosphaturia, hypophosphatemia, hypovitaminosis D, and vitamin D refractory rickets/osteomalacia, effects that disappear with tumor removal. The PMT may occur in several anatomic regions, mainly in the limbs, usually involving both soft tissue and bone. Acral locations occur in 10% to 15% of the cases, mostly in the feet, with 95 cases reported in this anatomic region to date. We report a case of a PMT in a young adult male who presented in 2007 with the classic constellation of signs and symptoms. A small soft-tissue tumor was detected in his right heel, 3 years after exhaustively seeking for it by various imaging techniques performed at different institutions. Before the tumor was detected, attempts to manage this patient's osteomalacia with phosphate and vitamin D (both calcitriol and ergocalciferol) supplementation were unsuccessful. Following surgical resection, the patient experienced prompt correction of the phosphaturia and gradual reconstitution of his bone mineralization. The pathologic diagnosis was (benign) PMT, mixed connective tissue type. In 2019, 12 years after resection, the patient is asymptomatic, and his bone mineral homeostasis has been restored.

The synergy between radiographic and macroscopic observation of skeletal lesions on dry bone.

The diagnosis of bone lesions is a fundamental part of the study of skeletal remains, both in the archeological and forensic context. On the one side, the literature proved the relevance of radiography for the detection of bone lesions; on the other side, the careful macroscopic observation of the morphology of bone lesions is often underestimated. For this study, we examined and performed plain radiography on 14 skeletons of the CAL Milano Cemetery Skeletal Collection diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, multiple myeloma, metastatic cancer, and osteomalacia to compare the macroscopic morphology and radiographic visualization of bone lesions. At least 200 osteolytic lesions and 65 areas of proliferative bone reaction (either spongiosclerotic or periosteal) were studied. We realized "comparative sets" of macroscopic pictures and radiographic imaging of the same skeletal elements to allow comparisons of detection and recognition of bone lesions. As a result, while trabecular lesions may be lost through naked eye observation, many lesions can also be unperceived on radiographs due to contrast, including periosteal reactions, osteolytic lesions, and spongiosclerosis. The aim of this research was to investigate the strengths and pitfalls of digital radiography and macroscopic analysis and to demonstrate the synergy of a complementary approach between the two methods for lesion analysis in dry bone.

[Rickets/Osteomalacia. FGF23-related hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia.]

FGF23 is a hormone that reduces blood phosphate level. Excessive actions of FGF23 result in several kinds of hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia such as X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets and tumor-induced osteomalacia. It is not clear how excessive actions of FGF23 are induced in these diseases. The inhibition of excessive FGF23 actions is a promising new treatment for FGF23-related hypophosphatemic rickets/osteomalacia.

A distinctive patchy osteomalacia characterises Phospho1-deficient mice.

The phosphatase PHOSPHO1 is involved in the initiation of biomineralisation. Bones in Phospho1 knockout (KO) mice show histological osteomalacia with frequent bowing of long bones and spontaneous fractures: they contain less mineral, with smaller mineral crystals. However, the consequences of Phospho1 ablation on the microscale structure of bone are not yet fully elucidated. Tibias and femurs obtained from wild-type and Phospho1 null (KO) mice (25-32 weeks old) were embedded in PMMA, cut and polished to produce near longitudinal sections. Block surfaces were studied using 20 kV backscattered-electron (BSE) imaging, and again after iodine staining to reveal non-mineralised matrix and cellular components. For 3D characterisation, we used X-ray micro-tomography. Bones opened with carbide milling tools to expose endosteal surfaces were macerated using an alkaline bacterial pronase enzyme detergent, 5% hydrogen peroxide and 7% sodium hypochlorite solutions to produce 3D surfaces for study with 3D BSE scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extensive regions of both compact cortical and trabecular bone matrix in Phospho1 KO mice contained no significant mineral and/or showed arrested mineralisation fronts, characterised by a failure in the fusion of the calcospherite-like, separately mineralising, individual micro-volumes within bone. Osteoclastic resorption of the uncalcified matrix in Phospho1 KO mice was attenuated compared with surrounding normally mineralised bone. The extent and position of this aberrant biomineralisation varied considerably between animals, contralateral limbs and anatomical sites. The most frequent manifestation lay, however, in the nearly complete failure of mineralisation in the bone surrounding the numerous transverse blood vessel canals in the cortices. In conclusion, SEM disclosed defective mineralising fronts and extensive patchy osteomalacia, which has previously not been recognised. These data further confirm the role of this phosphatase in physiological skeletal mineralisation.

Multilineage somatic activating mutations in HRAS and NRAS cause mosaic cutaneous and skeletal lesions, elevated FGF23 and hypophosphatemia.

Pathologically elevated serum levels of fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), a bone-derived hormone that regulates phosphorus homeostasis, result in renal phosphate wasting and lead to rickets or osteomalacia. Rarely, elevated serum FGF23 levels are found in association with mosaic cutaneous disorders that affect large proportions of the skin and appear in patterns corresponding to the migration of ectodermal progenitors. The cause and source of elevated serum FGF23 is unknown. In those conditions, such as epidermal and large congenital melanocytic nevi, skin lesions are variably associated with other abnormalities in the eye, brain and vasculature. The wide distribution of involved tissues and the appearance of multiple segmental skin and bone lesions suggest that these conditions result from early embryonic somatic mutations. We report five such cases with elevated serum FGF23 and bone lesions, four with large epidermal nevi and one with a giant congenital melanocytic nevus. Exome sequencing of blood and affected skin tissue identified somatic activating mutations of HRAS or NRAS in each case without recurrent secondary mutation, and we further found that the same mutation is present in dysplastic bone. Our finding of somatic activating RAS mutation in bone, the endogenous source of FGF23, provides the first evidence that elevated serum FGF23 levels, hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia are associated with pathologic Ras activation and may provide insight in the heretofore limited understanding of the regulation of FGF23.

The Return of Congenital Rickets, Are We Missing Occult Cases?

Congenital rickets is the term given to fetus born with clinical features of rickets, but those born with biochemical evidence of rickets without obvious clinical features still can be considered occult congenital rickets. Some of the affected babies with this disease have the intrauterine rachitic environment, but a calcium trans-placental pump prevents the fetus from having clinical features of rickets. They may present with hypocalcemia few days after birth or later with more florid features of rickets. Congenital rickets cases born with florid features reported over the last 40 years are few and can be divided into two groups. The first due to severe maternal osteomalacia in which their bones were so decalcified to have enough calcium to be pumped to their fetus. Another group in which newborn babies were hypocalcemic due to other maternal diseases as malabsorption, celiac disease, pre-eclampsia, and prematurity. All inherited rickets cases per se, or as part of other syndromes can be considered congenital rickets. Most cases seen in our region are due to maternal vitamin D deficiency with symptoms becoming obvious when the infants are breastfed, or may present with hypocalcemic convulsions or craniotabes. This is a review of congenital rickets with the aim of shedding light on this potentially acute disease that needs more attention and awareness in the neonatal period to avoid rare serious complications as cardiomyopathy or myelofibrosis and the complications of hypocalcemic convulsions. Congenital rickets cases seen simulate a tip of an ice-burg and its prevention is an important issue, especially with the tremendous urbanization with tall buildings living in sun-deprived flats as the commonest type of residence leading to the increasing incidence of maternal osteomalacia and rickets.

Pathogenesis and diagnostic criteria for rickets and osteomalacia--proposal by an expert panel supported by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, Japan, the Japanese Society for Bone and Mineral Research, and the Japan Endocrine Society.

Rickets and osteomalacia are diseases characterized by impaired mineralization of bone matrix. Recent investigations have revealed that the causes of rickets and osteomalacia are quite variable. Although these diseases can severely impair the quality of life of affected patients, rickets and osteomalacia can be completely cured or at least respond to treatment when properly diagnosed and treated according to the specific causes. On the other hand, there are no standard criteria to diagnose rickets or osteomalacia nationally and internationally. Therefore, we summarize the definition and pathogenesis of rickets and osteomalacia, and propose diagnostic criteria and a flowchart for the differential diagnosis of various causes of these diseases. We hope that these criteria and the flowchart are clinically useful for the proper diagnosis and management of these diseases.

En bloc resection for treatment of tumor-induced osteomalacia: a case presentation and a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is a rare disorder, which is commonly found in craniofacial locations and in the extremities. To the best of our knowledge, only 16 cases have been described in the spine, and this is the first report to describe a case of patient with TIO in the thoracic spine combined with a mesenchymal hamartoma which had confused the therapeutic strategies to date. CASE DESCRIPTION: We report the case of a 60-year-old patient with hypophosphatemia and presented with limb weakness. Treating with phosphate did not correct the hypophosphatemia and an (111)In pentetreotide scintigraphy (octreotide scan) revealed an increased uptake at the right forearm. The tumor was resected totally, and the histopathology revealed a mesenchymal hamartoma, but we noticed that hypophosphatemia was not corrected after the tumor resection. Then a whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) was performed and the results revealed tumorous tissues at the right T1 vertebral pedicle. The tumor was removed with an en bloc method, and the pathology showed phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor. Follow-up at 1 year after surgery revealed no recurrence, and the serum phosphorus level of the patient was normal. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor-induced osteomalacia is exceedingly rare with only 16 cases in spine published in the literature. It is difficult to find and leads to years of suffering debilitating complications. In this regard, the WB-MRI is a better method to locate the real tumor. Treating with phosphate can only relieve symptoms, and a complete surgical removal remains the gold standard treatment.

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors. Survey of 8 cases from a single Mexican medical institution.

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (PMT) is a morphologically heterogeneous soft tissue and bone neoplasm, producing a paraneoplastic syndrome due to phosphate wasting. These tumors produce fibroblast growth factor 23, which is implicated in renal tubule phosphate loss. Medical records of patients seen from 1999 to 2013 with osteomalacia associated or not with a tumor were reviewed. Clinical and laboratory data, radiographic studies, and follow-up of 8 patients were tabulated. Histologic features and the immunoprofile of the tumors were analyzed. There were 208 patients with osteomalacia, but only 8 (3.84%) had osteomalacia associated with a tumor. The median age of the patients was 40 years. The tumor size ranged from 1.5 to 4 cm. Five were located in soft tissues and skin; and 3, in bones. Osteomalacia symptoms lasted from 2 to 14 years with a median of 6 years. Laboratory data showed hypophosphatemia and phosphaturia in all patients. All tumors were histologically benign. Histologically, the salient features were a hemangiopericytoid pattern, chronic hemorrhage, and microcystic areas. All neoplasms were diffusely positive for vimentin and focally positive for epithelial membrane antigen, CD34, and S-100 protein. Ki-67 was positive in approximately 10% of neoplastic cells in 2 cases and less than 1% in the remainder. We report 8 cases of PMTs producing osteomalacia, from a single third-level Mexican medical institution. These tumors occurred in soft tissues, skin, and bones. All tumors were benign, small, not easily detected by physical examination and diagnosed due to the metabolic abnormalities.