Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia in neurofibromatosis 1: hypotheses for pathogenesis and higher incidence of spinal deformity

Osteomalacia is rarely encountered in association with neurofibromatosis 1, characterized by phosphate loss in the urine and its pathogenesis is still unknown. Incidence of spinal deformities in cases of neurofibromatosis 1 associated with osteomalacia seems to be high. Spinal deformities are unlikely to be due to osteomalacia itself. Melatonin deficiency was proposed to be present in cases of neurofibromatosis 1 and to be an operating factor in progression of spinal deformities. We might hypothesize that putative melatonin deficiency in cases of neurofibromatosis 1 might play a role in the pathogenesis of hyperphosphaturea by decreasing sodium-phosphate cotransport, increasing the level of cAMP, the un-antagonized effect of dopamine on phosphate reabsorption and increasing glucocorticoid levels. Parathyroid overactivity that may occur secondary to osteomalacia might have synergistic effects with dopamine and further exaggerate phosphate loss in urine. On the other hand, excess corticosteroid secretion would decrease nocturnal melatonin level. Moreover, in the presence of hypophosphatemia, hypercortisolism might further inhibit melatonin secretion that might lead to progression of spinal deformities in these cases. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.