Disappearing bones: A rare form of massive osteolysis: Report of two cases, one with autopsy findings

Abstract 1.1. Two cases of an unusual form of massive osteolysis, one with a report of autopsy findings, are described and sixteen similar cases from the medical literature have been briefly reviewed. 2.2. This remarkable disease affects chiefly children or young adults; males and females about equally. 3.3. Trauma, usually slight, is a common though probably only an incidental initial complaint. 4.4. Angiomatosis, usually hemangiomatosis, has been found in the affected bones or in the surrounding soft tissues in a significant number of cases to make it a possible etiologic factor by causing a disturbance in the balance of osteoblast-osteoclast activity. 5.5. Diffuse inflammation of the soft tissues about the affected bones may play an indirect role in causing bone atrophy by irritation or compression of peripheral nerves thus leading to trophic disturbances not only in bone but in other tissues as well.