Nervous system problems may occur in Pagets disease, resulting from increased pressure on the brain, spinal cord, or nerves, and reduced blood flow to the brain and spinal cord. When Pagets disease affects the facial bones, the teeth may become loose. Disturbance in chewing may occur. Chronic dental problems may lead to infection of the jaw bone. Angioid streaks may develop, possibly as a result of calcification of collagen or other pathological deposition.Pagets disease is not associated with osteoporosis. Although Pagets disease and osteoporosis can occur in the same patient, they are different disorders. Despite their marked differences, several treatments for Pagets disease are also used to treat osteoporosis. Causes
Viral
Pagets disease may be caused by a slow virus infection (i.e., paramyxoviridae) present for many years before symptoms appear. Associated viral infections include respiratory syncytial virus, canine distemper virus, and the measles virus. However, recent evidence has cast some doubt upon the measles association. Laboratory contamination may have played a role in past studies linking paramyxovirus (e.g. measles) to Pagets disease. Genetic
There is a hereditary factor in the development of Pagets disease of bone. Two genes, SQSTM1 and RANK, and specific regions of chromosome 5 and 6 are associated with Pagets disease of bone. Genetic causes may or may not involve a family history of Pagets disease.About 40–50% of people with the inherited version of Pagets disease have a mutation in the gene SQSTM1, which encodes a protein, called p62, that is involved in regulating the function of osteoclasts (bone cells).
First arch syndromes are congenital defects caused by a failure of neural crest cells to migrate into the first pharyngeal arch. They can produce facial anomalies. Examples of first arch syndromes include Treacher Collins syndrome and Pierre Robin syndrome. == References ==