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A clinical study of the effects of etretinate on bone in children and adolescents
Author(s) -
Glover M.T.,
Atherton D.J.,
Peters M.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb12011.x
Subject(s) - etretinate , medicine , abnormality , bone age , bone scintigraphy , radiography , skeleton (computer programming) , toxicity , skeletal survey , pediatrics , surgery , nuclear medicine , dermatology , anatomy , psychiatry , multiple myeloma , psoriasis
Recent reports have described the development of skeletal abnormalities in patients treated with etretinate (Tigason®). We have therefore examined 19 children and adolescents who have been continuously treated with etretinate for several years (median duration of treatment 5 years). Their overall mean daily dose ranged from 0·4 to 1 mg/kg (median 0·8 mg/kg). All subjects received musculoskeletal assessment and a 99m technetium methylene diphosphonate ( 99m Tc MDP) whole body bone scan, which results in a lower total radiation dose than a skeletal survey, and is more sensitive. Bone scans identify sites of abnormal turnover of bone earlier than plain radiographs, and are valuable in the early assessment of abnormalities of the growth plate, provided high resolution collimation is used. These studies revealed no evidence of significant bony abnormality in any patient. We therefore believe that long‐term etretinate therapy can probably be given with a low risk of musculoskeletal toxicity if certain precautions are taken, particularly use of low doses, early investigation of musculoskeletal symptoms and regular 99m Tc MDP bone scans.