title: Treatment of refractory symphysitis pubis with intravenous pamidronate.
abstract: Osteitis pubis is a noninfectious painful inflammatory disorder of the symphysis pubis. Etiologic factors include urologic procedures, abdomino-perineal and gynecological surgery, and spondyloarthropathies, although many cases are idiopathic. Most respond to conservative measures consisting primarily of rest and analgesic/antiinflammatory agents. We describe 3 cases, 2 with idiopathic osteitis pubis and one that was associated with a spondyloarthropathy, that failed to respond to conservative measures but experienced clinical remission with 3 to 6 monthly courses of intravenous pamidronate. Remission was also evident in 2 patients on isotope bone scan. Followup has revealed no recurrence. Intravenous pamidronate may constitute a safe and effective treatment option for patients with refractory osteitis pubis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Maksymowych
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Aaron
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Russell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D010000:Osteitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D000077268:Pamidronate; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D011631:Pubic Symphysis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004164:Diphosphonates; D000077268:Pamidronate