Transient osteoporosis of the hip: a densitometric study.

Three new cases of transient osteoporosis of the hip are reported. Diagnosis was achieved by plain radiographs, bone scintiscan, magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray absorptiometry of proximal femurs. The densitometry showed at the Ward's triangle a mean reduction of bone mineral density in the affected side of 36%. All subjects were treated with i.v. clodronate for ten consecutive days with a complete recovery of femoral density within 4 months. X-ray absorptiometry allows a quantification of the demineralization process and can be useful in the long term evaluation of this entity.