[Renal osteodystrophy: the spectrum of the x-ray symptoms in modern forms of kidney transplantation and long-term dialysis therapy].

Plain film radiography and microradioscopy represent standard imaging for diagnosis and grading of renal osteodystrophy. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effects of modern therapeutic regimens on skeletal abnormalities as diagnosed radiographically. 198 patients were investigated. X-ray findings of 38 patients from 1981-1983 (16-66 years, 40.1 +/- 13.4; 23 male, 15 female) were compared with those of 160 patients from 1991 (20-71 years, 48.4 +/- 12.5; 98 male, 62 female). We found significant differences in respect of the spectrum and the degree of skeletal abnormalities. The prevalence of phalangeal resorptions lowered from 87 to 50%, the prevalence of soft tissue calcification from 68 to 57%. Therefore, renal osteodystrophy is not as extensive as it was ten years ago, but it still continues to be an unavoidable complication of renal insufficiency.