Radiological spectrum of endemic fluorosis: relationship with calcium intake.

Abstract

Skeletal fluorosis continues to be endemic in many parts of India. Osteosclerosis and interosseous membrane calcification have long been regarded as hallmarks of this disease. Our study showed in addition a wide variety of radiological patterns: coarse trabecular pattern, axial osteosclerosis with distal osteopenia and diffuse osteopenia. Subjects with osteopenic changes had a significantly lower dietary intake of calcium than those groups having normal radiological findings, predominant osteosclerosis or coarse trabecular pattern (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, and p < 0.01 respectively). This suggests the role of calcium intake in determining the skeletal changes in endemic fluorosis.