Idiopathic multicentric osteolysis: report of two new cases and a review of the literature.

Idiopathic multicentric osteolysis is a rare skeletal disorder, usually presenting in early childhood with a clinical picture mimicking juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Progressive destruction of the carpal and tarsal bones usually occurs and other bones may also be involved. Chronic renal failure is a frequent component of this syndrome. Mental retardation and minor facial abnormalities have been noted in some patients. We report on 2 unrelated, sporadic cases, one with facial anomalies and the other with nephropathy. Our second patient is the first black child to be diagnosed with this disease. The mode of presentation, differential diagnosis, and natural history of this disorder are briefly reviewed.