Paget's disease of bone

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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Image showing Paget's disease of bone
Paget's disease of bone

A variety of tests can confirm a diagnosis of Paget's disease of bone. Your doctor also may order these types of tests during treatment, to see if the medications are working.

Imaging tests

  • X-rays. The first indication of Paget's disease is often abnormalities found on X-rays done for other reasons. X-ray images of your bones can show areas of bone reabsorption, enlargement of the bone and deformities that are characteristic of Paget's disease, such as bowing of your long bones.
  • Bone scan. In a bone scan, radioactive material is injected into your body. This material travels to the spots on your bones most affected by Paget's disease, so they light up on the scan images.

Lab tests
People who have Paget's disease of bone usually have elevated levels of alkaline phosphatase in their blood. They may also have increased amounts of hydroxyproline in their urine, particularly if the disease affects more than one bone.

References
  1. Facts a new patient needs to know about Paget's disease of bone. National Institutes of Health Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases: National Resource Center. http://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/bone/pagets/default.asp. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  2. Roodman GD. Paget's disease of bone. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203002646-3/1004517503/1492/963.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50273-1_12206. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  3. Paget's disease of bone. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00076. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  4. Mercier LR. Paget's disease of the bone. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203002646-3/1004517503/2088/470.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00025-3--sc0010_9669. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  5. Kelepouris N. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Paget disease of bone. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 27, 2010.
  6. Lane NE. Paget's disease of bone. In: Firestein GS, et al. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: WB Saunders Co.; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/203002646-3/0/1807/698.html?tocnode=55733939&fromURL=698.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3285-4..10092-0--s0210_3402. Accessed May 26, 2010.
  7. Seton M. Treatment of Paget disease of bone. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 27, 2010.
DS00485 Aug. 12, 2010

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