[Spontaneous osteolysis of the carpus (Gorham syndrome?)].

Osteolysis following trauma (vanishing bone) is well known. Its appearance is not typical to any special anatomical site. A massive osteolysis of the carpus was described by GORHAM in 1955. In subsequent years this type of osteolysis was found together with progressive nephropathy. The author presents a case of exclusively carpal osteolysis without initial trauma, not accompanied by nephropathy, starting out at the age of six. The carpal bones were completely destroyed by the age of eleven.