Osteonecrosis and spontaneous fractures following renal transplantation. A longitudinal study of radiological bone changes and metacarpal bone mass.

Seventy-seven renal transplant (RT) recipients were studied radiologically with regard to bone lesions and metacarpal bone mass, at the time of and after renal transplantation. An increased incidence of rarefaction of the spine, a reduced metacarpal bone mass and an increased frequency of subperiosteal erosions were found at the time of transplantation in RT patients who subsequently developed osteonecrosis or spontaneous fractures as compared with RT patients who did not develop these bone complications. During the years after RT an increase in rarefaction of the spine, in subperiosteal erosions, in soft tissue calcifications and a decrease in metacarpal bone mass were found in all patient groups.