Role of bisphosphonates in metabolic bone diseases.
Bisphosphonates are potent inhibitors of osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and represent the treatment of choice in disorders associated with accelerated bone resorption. They are widely used in the management of Paget's disease of bone and hypercalcemia of malignancy. Over the past few years, evidence has been accumulating for a beneficial effect of these agents in tumor-induced osteolytic bone disease and in established osteoporosis. Bisphosphonates may also play a useful though limited role in the medical management of hyperparathyroidism and heterotopic ossification.
Hamdy
N A
NA
Neveen A.T. Hamdy is at the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Leiden University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands.