Pamidronate treatment of steroid associated osteonecrosis in young patients treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - Two-year outcomes

Abstract

Aims: To assess outcomes of young patients with osteonecrosis (ON) treated with pamidronate in terms of relief of pain, prevention of progress and bony collapse of involved area. Patients and methods: A non-randomised interventional study in six patients with a history of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) for which treatment protocols included long term, high dose use of glucocorticoids. Subsequent development of ON was treated with a bisphosphonate (pamidronate) for 2 years. Mobility and pain control were assessed regularly with MRI and X-ray of affected areas at 0, 12 and 24 months. Results: Reduction in pain was reported in four of six patients in the first year with increased mobility...