title: [Osteoporosis and demineralization: a semantic confusion].
abstract: Osteoporosis is the most frequent demineralizing disease. However, when a demineralized vertebra is identified, other diseases must be ruled out in the course of diagnosis. Through three clinical cases, we analyze pitfalls that have delayed the diagnosis of one rare, but unfortunately lethal, aetiology: multiple myeloma.
authors.affiliation: Service de Rhumatologie, Département de Médecine Interne, CHU Sart Tilman.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Kaiser
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Malaise
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018488:Bone Demineralization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006980:Hyperthyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology