Microfocal radiography in the diagnosis of childhood renal osteodystrophy

Abstract Background: Renal osteodystrophy is common in children with chronic renal failure (CRF) and X-ray is an intensive method in the diagnosis of the disease. In this study we compared microfocal radiography with conventional method for the diagnosis of renal osteodystrophy.
Methods : The X-rays of left wrists of 21 children with CRF and chronic renal insufficiency were taken by conventional and microfocal methods.
Results : Both methods revealed osteopenia in all patients (100%), widening, fraying and cupping of ulnar and radial metaphysis in 10 (47.6%), osteosclerosis in three (14.2%) and pseudofracture in one (4.7%) patient. Microfocal radiography demonstrated osteosclerosis in one patient, pseudofracture in four and subperiosteal resorption in five patients that were not detected by conventional method.
Conclusion : Two methods were found to be significantly different in demonstrating the changes due to rickets and hyperparathyroidism and it is concluded that microfocal radiography may be preferred in the diagnosis of childhood renal osteodystrophy.