Successful pamidronate treatment of severe and refractory regional migratory osteoporosis

We report the case of a middle-aged patient with repeated attacks of region al migratory osteoporosis of the lower limbs, manifesting as severe pain an d swelling of both joint and periarticular areas, and marked physical disab ility during a period of 2(1)/(2) years. After the therapeutic failure of c onservative therapy (physical therapy rehabilitation therapy, analgesics an d nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)) and after the correct diag nosis was reached, pamidronate treatment was instituted. The results were a rapid, complete, and long-lasting remission of the symptoms and the renewa l of the patient's previous activities. Intravenous biphosphates are propos ed as a safe and promising therapy for regional migratory osteoporosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report of pamidronate treatment for this c ondition.