Bone biopsy for the diagnosis of osteoporosis

A transiliac biopsy may be used if the diagnosis of osteoporosis is in doubt, to exclude other bone disease and confirm the presence of osteoporosis. The usual findings are:

• reduced trabecular bone volume, often with low or normal bone turnover
• a few sites of active bone resorption or formation
• no osteoid accumulation
• no marrow fibrosis or plasma cell nests