A 47-year old woman was referred for bone pain and abnormal findings on radiography. The patient repoed that for the past 17 years, she has habitually consumed water from that area. She repoed a 5-years history ofpain in the lower back, arms, legs and hips, Because of brittleness, all her teeth had been extracted. Radiography ofthe forearm revealed interosseous membrane calcification and radiography of the spine revealed a rugger-jersey appearance (striated pattern of increased density in the upper and lower zones of the veebrae). The condition can be treated with –
A 47-year old woman was referred for bone pain and abnormal findings on radiography. The patient repoed that for the past 17 years, she has habitually consumed water from that area. She repoed a 5-years history ofpain in the lower back, arms, legs and hips, Because of brittleness, all her teeth had been extracted. Radiography ofthe forearm revealed interosseous membrane calcification and radiography of the spine revealed a rugger-jersey appearance (striated pattern of increased density in the upper and lower zones of the veebrae). The condition can be treated with –
π‘ Explanation
**Core Concept**
The patient's symptoms and radiographic findings are characteristic of a condition caused by prolonged exposure to high levels of a specific substance found in water, leading to skeletal and dental abnormalities.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The condition described is caused by chronic ingestion of water containing high levels of fluorine, leading to skeletal fluorosis. Fluorine accumulates in the bones, causing calcification of the interosseous membranes and a rugger-jersey appearance of the spine on radiography. The brittleness of the teeth is due to the formation of fluorapatite, a less soluble form of hydroxyapatite, making them more prone to fracture. The treatment for skeletal fluorosis involves reducing fluoride intake and using chelating agents to remove excess fluoride from the body.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not address the underlying cause of the condition, which is chronic fluoride ingestion.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because it is a general term and does not specify a treatment for skeletal fluorosis.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because it is a symptom of the condition, not a treatment.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Skeletal fluorosis should be suspected in patients with a history of prolonged exposure to high levels of fluoride, such as those who have consumed water from an area with high fluoride levels for an extended period.
**Correct Answer:** D.
β Correct Answer: B. Change in source of water
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