Fibrous dysplasia of bone

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Fibrous dysplasia is a disease that causes bone thinning^[1] and growths or lesions in one or more bones, and leads to bone weakness and scar formation within the bones ^[2].

Presentation

These lesions are tumor-like growths that consist of replacement of the medullary bone with fibrous tissue, causing the expansion and weakening of the areas of bone involved. Especially when involving the skull or facial bones, the lesions can cause externally visible deformities. The skull is often, but not necessarily, affected, and any other bone(s) can be involved.

• Many patients have lesions localized in only one bone (monostotic fibrous dysplasia), affecting 70-80%.
• Others have them in many bones (polyostotic fibrous dysplasia).

In 3% of cases, people suffering from fibrous dysplasia also have endocrine diseases and skin pigmentation; the three together constitute McCune-Albright syndrome. These endocrine diseases include precocious (early) puberty, often occurring as early as 6 years old.

Causes

Fibrous dysplasia is very rare; not much is known about it, and there is no known cure. The cause of the disease is unknown, but it is not hereditary.^[3] There are two types of fibrous dysplasia: 1. Monostotic (Involving a single bone), and 2. Polyostotic (Involving many bones). The most severe form of polystotic fibrous dysplasia is known as Albright Syndrome.

See also

• Cherubism
• Dysplasia

References

External links

• The Paget Foundation
• Duke Orthopedics fibrous_dysplasia
• Fibrous Dysplasia Pictures MedPix Imaging Database
• Fibrous Dysplasia of the Skull Images radRounds Radiology Image Database
• Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation
• MAGIC Foundation