Hip fracture and bone histomorphometry in a young adult with cystic fibrosis

A 25-yr-old male with cystic fibrosis sustained a fragility fracture of the left femoral neck, which required surgical correction. He had several risk factors for the development of low bone density and despite treatment with an oral bisphosphonate, his bone mineral density reduced further. The pati ent died 2 Srs after sustaining the fracture, Bone specimens obtained at po st mortem demonstrated severe cortical and trabecular osteopenia, but the h istological features were not typical of osteoporosis or osteomalacia, Osteoporosis is thought to be a common complication of cystic fibrosis, The novel histomorphometric appearances reported here suggest that the bone di sease of cystic fibrosis may be more complex and possibly unique. Labelled bone biopsies are required to clarify the bone defect leading to low bone d ensity in cystic fibrosis patients so that appropriate therapeutic strategi es can be developed.