Desferrioxamine treatment of osteomalacia caused by aluminum poisoning

: Three haemodialyzed chronic renal failure patients with histologically proven osteomalacia due to aluminium toxicity were treated with repeated injections of desferrioxamine, a potent chelator of aluminium. The drug, in doses of 3 or 6 g, was administered intravenously once a week for 5 to 11 months, at the end of a dialysis session. Treatment was well tolerated. Dramatic clinical improvement was observed, with rapid regression of pain and functional impairment. There was a 65% increase in alkaline phosphatase and a rise of immunoreactive parathyroid hormone (terminal C fragment). Healing of fractures was confirmed by radiology, and a second bone biopsy in the 3 patients after double tetracycline labelling showed regression of morphological and dynamic signs of osteomalacia, considerable reduction in stainable aluminium deposits and strong increase in bone remodelling compatible with the development of hyperparathyroidism. It is concluded that a moderate dose of desferrioxamine administered once a week is effective against osteomalacia due to aluminium toxicity.