Simple Radiologic Demonstration of Cortical Bone Loss in Thyrotoxicosis

Abstract

A simple radiologic technique permits detailed visualization of fine bone structure of the hand at eight times magnification. With this technique a marked striation of the second metacarpal cortical bone could be demonstrated in over half of the patients with moderate to severe thyrotoxicosis but not in controls. Metacarpal striation was found in some cases of acromegaly and hyperparathyroidism. Its relationship to hypercalcemia as found in one could not be clarified in this study. There was good correlation between metacarpal striation and decreased bone mineral density in the radius; this indicates that bone involvement was not confined to the hand.