MASSIVE OSTEOLYSIS IN A GIRL WITH AGENESIS OF THYROID C-CELLS

A rare case of massive osteolysis affecting the pelvis of a young girl is presented. The clinical, radiographic, and histopathological featu res are described in detail. Septicemia complicated the clinical cours e and the patient eventually died. Histopathological examination of th e pelvic lesion revealed massive osteolysis characterized by prominent osteoclastic activity with extensive bone resorption. A thorough post mortem histological examination of the thyroid gland showed no C cell s. This is an interesting observation, since it is known that thyroid C cells are the primary source of calcitonin. Since the main biologica l effect of calcitonin is to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption, the re is a possibility that massive osteolysis in our case could have bee n related to the lack of this hormone. There is a clear need for furth er investigation regarding the role of thyroid C cells and calcitonin in this puzzling disease.