MASSIVE OSTEOLYSIS

Massive osteolysis is rare, peculiar, and enigmatic. The clinical, rad iographic, and histologic features were reviewed in 11 cases. The pati ents were generally young (mean age, 20.7 years), and males outnumbere d females. More than half the patients had involvement of either the f emur or the ribs alone or including the vertebrae. On the basis of rad iographic studies, the disease process is capable of originating eithe r in bone or adjacent soft tissues. Histologically, the authors were u nable to identify pathognomonic features. Other than excision of all i nvolved tissue, surgical treatment was generally ineffective. Radiatio n therapy may be successful in eradicating the disease in selected cas es.