What is renal osteodystrophy? What is a Looser zone fracture?
Renal osteodystrophy is a manifestation of secondary hyperparathyroidism due to chronic renal disease combined with osteomalacia, osteoporosis, and soft tissue and vascular calcification. The term is applied to bone disease that is apparent in chronic renal failure patients. These features may become exaggerated or arrested after hemodialysis and renal transplantation.
A Looser zone fracture is a thin transverse band of rarified bone cortex perpendicular to the bone surface. This represents a cortical insufficiency fracture, usually has sclerotic irregular margins, and is pathognomonic for osteomalacia.