A village in Rajasthan has groundwater fluoride of 5.2 mg/L. Children aged 8–12 years show mottled enamel and adults show lumbar kyphosis with reduced spinal mobility. The radiological finding expected in advanced skeletal fluorosis is:

• A Osteoporosis with vertebral compression fractures
• B Subperiosteal resorption of radial border of middle phalanges
• C Ground-glass appearance of pelvis and skull
• D Osteosclerosis with calcification of spinal ligaments and interosseous membrane of forearm ✓

Explanation

Skeletal fluorosis results from chronic fluoride ingestion > 3–6 mg/day. The earliest radiological changes are osteosclerosis of the spine and pelvis, followed by calcification of interosseous membranes (forearm, leg) and posterior spinal ligaments (causing the bamboo spine-like picture), leading to neurological complications from cord compression. Osteoporosis and subperiosteal resorption are features of hyperparathyroidism. Ground-glass pelvis is seen in Paget's disease.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.