[Radiation injury of the intestine].

This article presents two cases of osteomalacia related to vitamin D deficiency after radiation therapy. Both patients had typical signs of serious small bowel affection with malabsorption and diarrhea, and fractures, osteoporosis, histological osteomalacia and serological vitamin D deficiency. Both patients responded to combined treatment with vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and vitamin B12. We discuss pathogenetic mechanisms, symptomatology and therapy, and review the literature. It is suggested that examination of serum 1.25 dihydroxy- and 25 hydroxy vitamin D levels be added to the diagnostic tests whenever small bowel damage after radiation is suspected.