Idiopathic multicentric osteolysis: a case report and literature review.

Osteolysis is defined as destruction of bone by resorption. Usually this resorption is associated with some underlying disorder and classified as secondary osteolytic syndromes. Primary idiopathic osteolysis is rare. It is characterised by the spontaneous onset of bone resorption without known causative factors. Bones which previously appeared normal begin to undergo partial or complete resorption. This process continues for years, until eventually it ceases spontaneously. The exact pathogenetic mechanism of this osteolysis remains unknown. We present a unique case of idiopathic osteolysis, that does not fit into the previously described patterns of the disease.