Refractory Diffuse Bony Pain 20 Years After Jejunoileal Bypass

Osteomalacia can be a late but unrecognized complication following jejunoileal bypass. We describe a 53-year-old man who underwent jejunoileal bypass for morbid obesity twenty years earlier who suffered from progressive diffuse bony pain refractory to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. He was initially diagnosed with a malignancy with bone metastasis. However, pertinent laboratory data were notable for hypocalcemia (7.5 mg/dL, albumin 4.1 mg/dL) with low urinary calcium excretion (14 mg/day), hypophosphatemia (2.0 mg/dL) with low urinary phosphate excretion (53 mg/day), hypomagnesemia (1.5 mg/dL) with low urine magnesium excretion (23 mg/day), low 1, 25 (OH)(2) vitamin D-3, and elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH). These laboratory findings pointed to a defect in calcium, phosphate, and magnesium handling in the gastrointestinal tract. Bone biopsy of the iliac crest clearly demonstrated typical changes of osteomalacia with excessive osteoid accumulation and reduced mineralization. His clinical symptoms were refractory to oral 1, 25 (OH)(2) vitamin D-3 and calcium supplementation but significantly improved with the addition of intermittent intravenous active 1, 25 (OH)(2) vitamin D-3, calcium, phosphate, and magnesium supplementation. Osteomalacia is an easily misdiagnosed late complication of jejunoileal bypass. Early recognition can avoid circuitous diagnosis and inappropriate management.