Bone microarchitecture deteriorations and a fragility fracture in a patient with beta and alpha heterozygous thalassemia: a case report

• DOI: 10.1007/s00508-016-1032-7
• Publication Date: 2016-06-30T13:00:05Z
• Authors: Xaver Feichtinger; Roland Kocijan; Heinrich Resch; Christian Muschitz
• Keywords: Bone remodeling; Bone fracture

To date there are few studies that have investigated bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of metabolism in patients with thalassemia minor form. None the previous trials presented structure analysis patient populations. We present case a 24-year-old Turkish woman heterozygous beta alpha who sustained low-trauma fracture inferior pubic ramus. Despite normal metabolism, dual X‑ray absorptiometry (DXA) showed decreased areal density. Furthermore, severely reduced parameters volumetric was assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT). Due to these diagnostic findings at time peak mass, an osteoanabolic therapy teriparatide for 24 months initiated. The concerning BMD this can be seen as caused thalassemia.