Paget’s disease

A common disorder of the middle-aged and elderly, in which the formation of bone is disrupted. Affected bones become weak, thick, and deformed. Paget’s disease, which is also called osteitis deformans, usually affects the pelvis, skull, collarbone, vertebrae, and long bones of the leg. The disorder may run in families and mostly affects men. There are often no symptoms, but if symptoms do occur, the most common ones are bone pain and deformity, especially bowing of the legs. Affected bones are prone to fracture. Skull changes may lead to leontiasis (distortion of the facial bones producing a lion-like appearance) and to damage to the inner ear, sometimes causing deafness, tinnitus, vertigo, or headaches. The disorder is diagnosed by X-rays and blood tests. Most people do not need treatment, or only need analgesic drugs. In more severe cases, treatment with drugs such as calcitonin may be prescribed or surgery may be needed.