Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2012) 29 P180

1St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK; 2Hammersmith Hospital, Imperial College NHS Trust, London, UK.


Oncogenic osteomalacia is a rare paraneoplastic phenomenon characterised by abnormal phosphate metabolism typically caused by discrete benign tumours. Due to the indolent presentation and slow progression, diagnosis is often delayed and localisation of the tumour can prove difficult. We present the case of a 64-years-old gentleman who was investigated by the endocrinology department for hypophosphataemia. Three years prior to this, he had started to experience exertional fatigue and myalgia. Within the same time frame, he sustained a minor injury to his ankle and later developed severe pain in the joint lasting several months. This was attributed to Looser zones on plain X-ray. He had no further significant medical history. Development and growth had been normal. Relevant results are tabulated. The low Tmp/GFR value confirmed renal phosphate wasting. In the context of a mildly elevated PTH level and inappropriately normal 1,25 (OH) Vitmain D/ FGF 23 levels, the hypophosphataemia was deemed consistent with oncogenic osteomalacia. Though CT images demonstrated low attenuation hepatic lesions, these were characterised as insignificant on MRI. No potential source was identified on functional imaging modalitites (octreotide scintigraphy, FDG-PET imaging or Ga68 DOTATATE PET). Symptomatic relief was gained with Sando Phosphate and alfcalcidol. Biochemical parameters normalised (fasting phosphate 0.77 mmol/l, ALP 117 μ/l) and a repeat bone scan showed full resolution in the areas of increased activity. Our case illustrates the difficulties in identifying tumours associated with this paraneoplastic phenomenon and how, despite unsuccessful localisation, medical therapy can be effective in the absence of definitive treatment.

Table 1
VariableValuesReference range
Fasting Phosphate Level0.53 mmol/l0.8–11.4 mmol/l
Corrected Calcium2.24 mmol/l2.15–2.60 mmol/l
Creatinine100 mmol/l75–114 mmol/l
Parathyroid Hormone Levels14.6 pmol/l1.1–6.8 pmol/l
Alkaline Phosphatase255 μ/l30–130 μ/l
25-OH Vitamin D51.1 nmol/l25–100 nmol/l
1–25(OH) Vit D73 pmol/l40–150 pmol/l
Fibroblast Growth Factor-2363 RU/ml<100 RU/ml
24 hour urinary phosphate excretion20.73 mmol16–48mmol
Fractional excretion of phosphate14%
Tubular maximum for phosphate corrected for GFR (TmP/GFR)0.35 mmol/l0.89–1.34 mmol/l(corrected for age and gender)
Bone ScintigraphyMultiple sites increased activity throughout skeleton with few small hot spots
Bone Mineral Density (DEXA) ScanT4-L2: (T score) −2.7: Femoral neck: (T score) −1.7

Results:

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.

Volume 29

15th International & 14th European Congress of Endocrinology

European Society of Endocrinology 

Browse other volumes

Article tools

My recent searches

No recent searches.

My recently viewed abstracts