The anatomic distribution of osteitis deformans.

Previous observations on the anatomic distribution of Paget's disease of bone are substantiated by a study of an additional 639 patients and by comparison with radionucleide bone imaging. The main anatomic features are a preference for the lower rather than the upper limb girdle, a spinal distribution similar to that seen in vertebral spondylosis, and a tendency to right-sided involvement. Bone stress is a possible explanation of the skeletal distribution, and may therefore be significant in the pathogenesis of the disease.