Abstract

Three adult sisters with osteopetrosis in infancy had spontaneous resolution of bone modeling defects and osteosclerosis. During adolescence, basal ganglia calcification developed in two. Renal tubular acidosis (type I) was diagnosed in each during early adulthood. The disorder was transmitted apparently as a recessive trait-the same mode of inheritance as for the "malignant" form of osteopetrosis which is usually fatal during childhood. Electron microscopy of bone suggested that osteoclasts failed to form "ruffled membranes" characteristic of active bone resorbing cells. Chronic systemic acidosis may have ameliorated the skeletal manifestations of this new syndrome.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)64-74
Number of pages11
JournalThe American journal of medicine
Volume69
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1980

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Osteopetrosis, renal tubular acidosis and basal ganglia calcification in three sisters'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this