Abstract

Objective: To probe into the significance of osteosis of the junctions of ligaments and tendons around elbow joints for the diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis. Methods: Analyses were conducted on X-ray signs of elbow joints in 23 cases with skeletal fluorosis and fluoridated elbow joints identified in March 2011 in an investigation of populations living in coal-burning-associated endemic fluorosis region(s).

Results: [The analyses revealed] seven cases with osteosis of the site over condylus medialis humeri for attachment of tendons, seven cases with osteosis of the site over condylus lateralis humeri for attachment of tendons, six cases with osteosis of annular ligament of radial head, 18 cases with narrowed elbow joint space, 10 cases with gross or dense changes in trabecula under elbow joint surface, four cases with osseous cystic change under elbow joint surface, four cases with osteophyte formation over trochlear lateral bone crest, eight cases with osteophyte formation in the inner margin of humero-ulnar joint, and three cases with osteophyte formation in the surface opposite to upper radio-ulnar joint.

Conclusion: The pathognomonic signs of fluoride-associated arthropathy include osteosis of annular ligament of radial head as well as osteosis of the sites over condylus medialis humeri and condylus lateralis humeri for attachment of flexor and extensor tendons, thus they are of major significance for the diagnosis of skeletal fluorosis.

Translated by Trans-Perfect Translations (2014).

• Related Studies :

  • [Clinical and imaging study of fluoride-poisoning arthropathy].

    Objective: To probe into the clinical and imaging manifestations and mechanisms of fluorosis-associated arthropathy. Methods: Analyses were conducted on the clinical manifestations, X-rays and magnetic resonance examinations in 18 cases with fluorosis-associated arthropathy. Results: Skeletal fluorosis of different severities was revealed in the 18 cases. Major clinical symptoms were as follows: pain

  • Experimental fluorosis in rats: NaF induced changes of bone and bone marrow

    The results of our experiments suggest that increased doses of NaF cause more extensive osteosclerosis due to the decrease in number and/or activity of osteoclasts. Therefore oateosclerosis is caused primarily, not by increased bone formation but, by the inhibition of bone resorption. This view is supported by the fact that

  • Radiological modifications of the skeletal system among aluminum smelter workers: A 15 year retrospective study

    Previously by the time skeletal fluorosis among aluminum smelter workers due to high fluoride exposure was diagnosed numerous cases of bone fluorosis had already reached stages II and III according to Roholm. Today, as a result of improved working conditions and continuous health care, the picture has changed. This paper

  • [Skeletal fluorosis: a case report].

    The authors report a case of skeletal fluorosis described in a 60 years old man living in south-west Tunisian. The main clinical sign is a severe functional legs disability. Radiographic examination has shown a diffused osteocondensation, with cervical spine degenerative discopathy, a pelvis bilateral osteoarthritis and an interosseous membrane ossification

  • Clinical and pathogenetic features of chronic occupational intoxication with fluorine compounds in modern conditions

    Multi-year follow-up of 358 workers of aluminum pot rooms, including 165 individuals suffering from fluorosis, has shown significant changes in the clinical picture of the chronic occupational fluorine intoxication, developed under modern conditions of production, at lower concentrations of fluorine compounds in the air of working area. In this connection,

• Related FAN Content :

  • Fluoride & Osteoarthritis

    While the osteoarthritic effects that occurred from fluoride exposure were once considered to be limited to those with skeletal fluorosis, recent research shows that fluoride can cause osteoarthritis in the absence of traditionally defined fluorosis. Conventional methods used for detecting skeletal fluorosis, therefore, will fail to detect the full range of people suffering from fluoride-induced osteoarthritis.

  • "Pre-Skeletal" Fluorosis

    As demonstrated by the studies below, skeletal fluorosis may produce adverse symptoms, including arthritic pains, clinical osteoarthritis, gastrointestinal disturbances, and bone fragility, before the classic bone change of fluorosis (i.e., osteosclerosis in the spine and pelvis) is detectable by x-ray. Relying on x-rays, therefore, to diagnosis skeletal fluorosis will invariably fail to protect those individuals who are suffering from the pre-skeletal phase of the disease. Moreover, some individuals with clinical skeletal fluorosis will not develop an increase in bone density, let alone osteosclerosis, of the spine. Thus, relying on unusual increases in spinal bone density will under-detect the rate of skeletal fluoride poisoning in a population.

  • Skeletal Fluorosis: The Misdiagnosis Problem

    It is a virtual certainty that there are individuals in the general population unknowingly suffering from some form of skeletal fluorosis as a result of a doctor's failure to consider fluoride as a cause of their symptoms. Proof that this is the case can be found in the following case reports of skeletal fluorosis written by doctors in the U.S. and other western countries. As can be seen, a consistent feature of these reports is that fluorosis patients--even those with crippling skeletal fluorosis--are misdiagnosed for years by multiple teams of doctors who routinely fail to consider fluoride as a possible cause of their disease.

  • Skeletal Fluorosis Causes Bones to be Brittle & Prone to Fracture

    It has been known since as the early as the 1930s that patients with skeletal fluorosis have bone that is more brittle and prone to fracture. More recently, however, researchers have found that fluoride can reduce bone strength before the onset of skeletal fluorosis. Included below are some of the

  • Tea Intake Is a Risk Factor for Skeletal Fluorosis

    A number of recent studies have found that heavy tea drinkers can develop skeletal fluorosis - a bone disease caused by excessive intake of fluoride.