Osteomalacia caused by tumors in facies cranii mimicking rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatol Int. 2012 Aug;32(8):2573-6. doi: 10.1007/s00296-011-2018-4. Epub 2011 Jul 26.

Abstract

Tumor-induced osteomalacia (TIO) is an extremely rare metabolic bone disease and the occult offending tumor arising in facies cranii is even more uncommon. In this report, we described 2 middle-aged females with TIO caused by the tumor in facies cranii, which had ever been misdiagnosed as rheumatoid arthritis. Case 1 was present with diffuse bone pain and muscle weakness for 4 years, as well as esotropia in the right eye for 1 month. Case 2 was present with progressive bone pain in low back and hip for 2 years. Biochemical studies both showed persistent hypophosphatemia and urinary over wasting phosphate. Radiological examinations revealed the infiltrative mass in right apex partis petrosae ossis temporalis in case 1, and the soft mass in left nasal cavity and ethmoid sinuses in case 2, respectively. The offending tumors were resected completely in case 2, however, incompletely in case 1. Pathology examination revealed mixed connective tissue variant phosphaturic mesenchymal tumors. In conclusion, TIO should be presumed in patients presenting with unexplained persistent hypophosphatemia osteomalacia, also a thorough detection for tumor in facies cranii should be performed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis*
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / complications
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hypophosphatemia / diagnosis
  • Hypophosphatemia / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neoplasms, Connective Tissue / complications
  • Neoplasms, Connective Tissue / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Connective Tissue / surgery
  • Osteomalacia / diagnosis*
  • Osteomalacia / etiology
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed