The use of pamidronate in hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA).
BACKGROUND
Hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy (HPOA) secondary to bronchogenic carcinoma can be associated with severe, disabling pain which is not always responsive to conventional treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To report on the use of pamidronate to control resistant pain in HPOA in three cases.


METHODS
A retrospective review of reported pain, chest X-ray and radionuclide bone scans was made.


RESULTS
Pain relief was achieved in all three cases together with reduced radiolabel uptake in two cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Pamidronate appears to be an effective therapy for HPOA. Further investigation is warranted.
Speden
D
D
Department of Oncology, Royal Hobart Hospital, Tasmania.
Nicklason
F
F
Francis
H
H
Ward
J
J
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000150:complications*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D010005:Osteoarthropathy, Secondary Hypertrophic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D010166:Palliative Care; D000077268:Pamidronate
D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077268:Pamidronate