Fortnightly review - Paget's disease of bone: Diagnosis and management

Paget's disease is a localised monostotic or polyostotic progressive bone disease of uncertain origin (it may be caused by a slow viral infection) It is characterised by increased bone remodelling, leading to pain, fractures, and deformities with the risk of skeletal, articular, or neurological complications Radiography, scintigraphy, and bone biochemistry are useful tools in achieving a positive diagnosis The primary aim of treatment is to reduce pain and the risk of developing long term complications Potent antiresorptive drugs are now available which control the increased bone remodelling and have led to a dramatic improvement in treatment. © 1996, BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. All rights reserved.