Sacral stress fracture as a cause of gluteal artery injury: An unusual complication of a common fracture (original) (raw)
Insufficiency Fractures of the Sacrum After Radiotherapy for Gynaecological Malignancy
Acta Oncologica, 1990
An entity is described which is characterized by low back pain and increased radionuclide uptake in the sacrum at bone scintigraphy in postmenopausal women having received radiotherapy towards the pelvis because of gynaecological malignancy. The findings simulate bone metastases, but are in all likelihood caused by insufficiency fractures of the sacrum promoted by bone weakness induced by postmenopausal osteoporosis and radiotherapy combined. The increased radionuclide activity has a characteristic appearance which in the fully developed fracture acquires the shape of an 'H'. In plain radiography, changes are absent or subtle. The proper complementary examination is CT, in which the fractures can be visualized and malignant changes excluded. Awareness of this benign entity is important to avoid overdiagnosis of bone metastases.
Pelvic Insufficiency Fractures after Chemoradiation for
2013
Background: Radiation-induced pelvic insufficiency fracture (PIF) is an important complication associated with pelvic radiation therapy (RT) for patients with gynecologic malignancies. Despite known risk factors and recent reports describing the incidence on the order of 30 percent, there has been a dearth of translational research or consensus statements to guide clinical management. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe seven cases of PIF diagnosed and managed at the Massachusetts General Hospital during a 5-year period and to perform a focused review of the literature to inform several clinical questions that remain unanswered. A secondary aim of this study is to highlight the need for additional research related to screening, prophylaxis, diagnostics, and treatment of PIF in patients with gynecologic malignancy. Methods: In the current retrospective review, we report 10 cases of PIF diagnosed over a 5-year period in 7 patients with vulvar (4), vaginal (2), and cervical (1) cancer following chemoradiation therapy at a single institution. Data were collected from the medical records by a single investigator and all diagnostic imaging was reviewed by a single radiologist to confirm the presence or absence of PIF. Results: All 7 patients were post-menopausal and received concurrent chemoradiation, 3 were over the age of 65 years old (42.8%), 3 had BMI < 25 kg/m 2 (42.8%), 2 had a history of osteoporosis (28.6%), and 1 had a history of hormone replacement therapy use (14.3%). No patients underwent standard screening for PIF and no patients were started on prophylaxis prior to diagnosis. The plain film was the most common initial imaging performed while MRI was the most common overall study used to diagnose PIF. Median time to the development of fracture was 16 months (range 4-114) with femoral neck fracture being the most common (40%) and sacral fractures trailing close behind (30%). 7 of 10 fractures were initially managed expectantly with 1 ultimately failing expectant management and requiring surgical intervention. 4 of 10 fractures required surgical intervention. All patients had resolution of symptoms by 12 months after diagnosis. Conclusion: Radiation-induced PIF remains an important complication associated with pelvic RT. Significant risk factors have been identified and studies have compared various diagnostic imaging modalities. Future studies are needed to compare screening algorithms and evaluate the comparative effectiveness of prophylactic pharmacotherapies. Future studies are also needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of PET/CT versus MRI and compare the morbidity associated with expectant management versus surgical intervention in patients with symptomatic fractures.
International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2013
Background: Radiation-induced pelvic insufficiency fracture (PIF) is an important complication associated with pelvic radiation therapy (RT) for patients with gynecologic malignancies. Despite known risk factors and recent reports describing the incidence on the order of 30 percent, there has been a dearth of translational research or consensus statements to guide clinical management. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe seven cases of PIF diagnosed and managed at the Massachusetts General Hospital during a 5-year period and to perform a focused review of the literature to inform several clinical questions that remain unanswered. A secondary aim of this study is to highlight the need for additional research related to screening, prophylaxis, diagnostics, and treatment of PIF in patients with gynecologic malignancy. Methods: In the current retrospective review, we report 10 cases of PIF diagnosed over a 5-year period in 7 patients with vulvar (4), vaginal (2), and cervical (1) cancer following chemoradiation therapy at a single institution. Data were collected from the medical records by a single investigator and all diagnostic imaging was reviewed by a single radiologist to confirm the presence or absence of PIF. Results: All 7 patients were post-menopausal and received concurrent chemoradiation, 3 were over the age of 65 years old (42.8%), 3 had BMI < 25 kg/m 2 (42.8%), 2 had a history of osteoporosis (28.6%), and 1 had a history of hormone replacement therapy use (14.3%). No patients underwent standard screening for PIF and no patients were started on prophylaxis prior to diagnosis. The plain film was the most common initial imaging performed while MRI was the most common overall study used to diagnose PIF. Median time to the development of fracture was 16 months (range 4-114) with femoral neck fracture being the most common (40%) and sacral fractures trailing close behind (30%). 7 of 10 fractures were initially managed expectantly with 1 ultimately failing expectant management and requiring surgical intervention. 4 of 10 fractures required surgical intervention. All patients had resolution of symptoms by 12 months after diagnosis. Conclusion: Radiation-induced PIF remains an important complication associated with pelvic RT. Significant risk factors have been identified and studies have compared various diagnostic imaging modalities. Future studies are needed to compare screening algorithms and evaluate the comparative effectiveness of prophylactic pharmacotherapies. Future studies are also needed to determine the cost-effectiveness of PET/CT versus MRI and compare the morbidity associated with expectant management versus surgical intervention in patients with symptomatic fractures.
An Undiagnosed Sacral Insufficiency Fracture in an Osteoporotic Elderly Woman
Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Bilimleri Dergisi
ABS TRACT Insufficiency fractures occur when normal stress is applied to bone with low mineralization and elastic resistance. Postmenopausal osteoporosis, pregnancy, postpartum period, and sports activities can result in insufficiency fractures. Clinical suspicion is important in sacral insufficiency fractures. Computed tomography, scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance imaging are used in undiagnosed cases. Bed rest, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy modalities can be used for pain control. Sacral insufficiency fracture should be kept in mind in elderly osteoporotic patients with low back and/or hip pain unresponsive to treatment. In this case report, we will present a 77-year-old patient with overlooked sacral insufficiency fracture. The patient, who had persistent low back and hip pain for three months, was misdiagnosed as sacroiliitis.
Profile of geriatric pelvic fractures presenting to the emergency department
The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, 1997
Few studies have examined differences in mechanism, presentation, and outcome of trauma in geriatric patients. This study compared pelvic fractures and associated injuries in geriatric and nongeriatric patients. The medical charts of all patients presenting to a large urban emergency medicine teaching program with a pelvic fracture between January 1, 1987 and December 31, 1993 were retrospectively reviewed by studyblinded physicians. Data collected included mechanism and site of injury, associated injuries, disposition (admission or discharge), need for operative repair, length of hospital stay, as well as subsequent deaths and causes. The data were stratified into patients less than 65 years of age (group A) and 65 years or older (group B). Two-hundred five pelvic fractures were reviewed with 85 (41%) in group B. A significantly greater number of pelvic fractures in group B occurred by fall (86% v 25%, P < .05) and significantly less by motor vehicle accident (14% v 75%, P < .05). Site of pelvic fracture differed significantly only in the decreased number of geriatric lilac fractures (6% v 16%, P < .05). The sites of pelvic fractures for geriatric patients in descending order were multiple sites (58%), pubic rami (56%), acetabulum (19%), ischium (11%), lilac (6%), and sacroiliac (2%), and did not differ from nongeriatric patients. Geriatric patients had significantly fewer total associated injuries (40% v 61%, P < .05) although associated chest injuries were significantly more common (21% v 8%, P < .05). Death occurred in three (3%) nongeriatric and nine (11%) geriatric patients. Six geriatric deaths were caused by exacerbation of underlying cardiovascular disease. Geriatric patients underwent significantly fewer operative procedures (6% v 43%, P < .05) but there were no significant differences in the percent admitted (85%) or mean length of hospital stay (9.59 days). Despite the decreased severity of pelvic fractures, care must be taken to prevent morbidity caused by exacerbation of premorbid illnesses in geriatric patients with pelvic fractures.
Pelvic insufficiency fractures in patients with pelvic irradiation
International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 1999
Background: Insufficiency fractures (IF) occur as a result of normal physiological stress on bones with deficient elastic resistance. Pelvic insufficiency fractures are a complication of osteoporosis due to postmenopausal status, high dose of corticosteroids, or local irradiation. They are important because differential diagnosis includes pelvic bone metastases. Diagnosis is based on both clinical manifestations and radiographic and scintigraphic findings. Methods and Materials: We examined eight patients with pelvic cancer who had previously undergone external beam radiation therapy as part of their treatment. In the follow-up, they developed insufficiency fractures, and no factor other than pelvic irradiation was present. Diagnosis was confirmed by radionuclide bone scan followed by conventional radiography and computed tomography (CT) scan. Results: The average onset of symptoms was 13.7 months after radiation therapy was completed. The initial symptom in all cases was pain. In all of the patients, the bone scan showed abnormalities. One to four increased uptake foci were observed, in the sacroiliac joint in all cases, and in the pubis in three cases. The initial diagnosis was bone metastases in five patients. CT scan showed fractures in all of the patients, in sacrum and pubis, both endostic and cortical. Treatment, consisting of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and rest, led to symptomatic relief in all cases. Conclusion: Knowledge of pelvic insufficiency fractures is essential in order to rule out metastasic disease, and thus avoid inaccurate treatment. Although radionuclide bone scan is useful in early detection of pelvic IF, definitive diagnosis is provided by CT scan.
Where and what arteries are most likely injured with pelvic fractures?
Clinical Anatomy, 2019
Blood vessels passing through pelvic region come into intimate contact with pelvic bone and can be injured by the sharp edges of the dislocated fracture fragments. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of localization, shape and dislocation of individual pelvic ring bones' fractures on arterial injuries. Materials and Methods The study group consisted of 474 patients enrolled in a one-year prospective multicenter study. The pattern of pelvic fracture lines were characterized and recorded on a planar diagram of the subjected side of the pelvis. The diagram was subdivided into 11 designated areas. Frequency of injury at each 11 areas was recorded. The course of individual arteries in the 11 areas were also recorded in relation to each type of pelvic fractures. Results Out of the 474 investigated patients, the highest proportion of fractures occurred in the areas of the superior (62%) and inferior (59%) ramus of the pubis as well as in the lateral part of the Accepted Article This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. 3 sacrum (19%). These locations can be associated with injuries of the external iliac, obturator, internal iliac and aberrant obturator arteries. Conclusion The highest risk of arterial injuries was associated with vertically displaced fractures in the middle part of the superior and inferior pubic rami, along the ischial ramus, in the apex of the greater sciatic notch and in the vicinity of the ventral part of the sacroiliac joint, where the artery runs at a distance of less than 1 cm from the bone.
Lesions Associated with Pelvic Fracture: An Integrating Literature Review
Archives of Medicine, 2017
Objective: To review in the scientific literature the main lesions associated with pelvic fractures. Methods and Results: An integrative review was carried out in the databases: LILACS, MEDLINE, SciELO and BDENF, including national and international publications, from 2006 to 2016, obtaining a sample for analysis of nineteen articles. Pelvic fractures can have a significant impact on the genitourinary system, with some patients having a direct lesion concomitant with the urethra or bladder. The thoracic trauma resulting from pelvic fracture, among them, rib fractures, accompanied by pneumothorax and pulmonary contusion, are often associated with abdominal injuries, the organs most affected are thoracic/abdominal organs, especially bladder, spleen, liver, urethra and kidneys. Bone lesions, including fractures of the upper and lower limbs, cranial fractures are also frequently associated with pelvic trauma, as well as hematological complications, mainly thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis and hemorrhage. Conclusion: This study made it possible to analyze the production of lesions associated with pelvic fractures. In this context, we emphasize the need for studies that also emphasize care for these patients through humanized care, in order to minimize physical discomforts and social, psychic and emotional problems that can be generated by these injuries.
Combined pubic rami and sacral osteoporotic fractures: a prospective study
Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, 2012
Background Pelvic osteoporotic fractures (POFs) are often associated with considerable morbidity and mortality mainly as a result of infections and cardiovascular events. Patients usually need prolonged institutionalization, rehabilitation, and follow-up, with a high rate of dependency and cost. The most common sites of POFs include the pubic rami, sacrum, ilium, and acetabulum. Combined pubic rami (PROFs) and sacral osteoporotic fractures (SOFs) have been reported, mostly in retrospective studies, describing the mechanism of injury and incidence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between PROFs and SOFs and to assess the effect of combined PROFs and SOFs on patients' mobility, discharge destination, and length of stay. Materials and methods We prospectively studied 67 patients with low-impact PROFs and/or SOFs. There were 54 (80.4%) female and 13 (19.6%) male patients, and the average age was 87.5 (range 65-96) years. All patients were assessed by the fracture liaison service. Patients had magnetic resonance imaging or bone scan when there was history of low back pain following the injury or lumbosacral tenderness on clinical examination. Results The mean length of stay for all patients was 45 (±35) days. Mortality rate was 10.4%. A significant relationship was found between low back pain and a positive finding of sacral fracture. Patients with combined PROFs and SOFs showed significantly longer length of stay than those with isolated PROFs. Conclusions The presence of low back pain and tenderness in patients who had low-impact pelvic injuries was highly suggestive of the presence of an associated SOF. There was a high association between sacral and PROFs. The length of stay of patients with PROFs associated with sacral osteoporotic fractures was significantly longer than that of patients with PROFs only. Therefore, we recommend considering the high association between SOFs and PROFs in planning the management and rehabilitation of patients with POFs.
Delayed Bone Infarct in the Ilium Following a Pelvic Crush Injury and Embolization: A Case Report
JBJS case connector
We present a case of delayed osteonecrosis of the ilium. After receiving embolization and multiple orthopaedic procedures following a complex pelvic crush injury, the patient subsequently developed posterior pelvic pain and tenderness over the posterior superior iliac spine, along with pain on sacroiliac joint compression. Magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis demonstrated a bone infarction in the left ilium adjacent to the sacroiliac joint. The symptoms from osteonecrosis of the ilium may simulate sacroiliitis or other conditions. It is important to keep the differential diagnosis in mind when considering additional management for posterior pelvic pain in the setting of prior trauma and preexisting hardware.
Stress fracture of the pelvis and lower limbs including atypical femoral fractures—a review
Insights into Imaging, 2014
Stress fractures, that is fatigue and insufficiency fractures, of the pelvis and lower limb come in many guises. Most doctors are familiar with typical sacral, tibial or metatarsal stress fractures. However, even common and typical presentations can pose diagnostic difficulties especially early after the onset of clinical symptoms. This article reviews the aetiology and pathophysiology of stress fractures and their reflection in the imaging appearances. The role of varying imaging modalities is laid out and typical findings are demonstrated. Emphasis is given to sometimes less wellappreciated fractures, which might be missed and can have devastating consequences for longer term patient outcomes. In particular, atypical femoral shaft fractures and their relationship to bisphosphonates are discussed. Migrating bone marrow oedema syndrome, transient osteoporosis and spontaneous osteonecrosis are reviewed as manifestations of stress fractures. Radiotherapy-related stress fractures are examined in more detail. An overview of typical sites of stress fractures in the pelvis and lower limbs and their particular clinical relevance concludes this review. Teaching Points • Stress fractures indicate bone fatigue or insufficiency or a combination of these. • Radiographic visibility of stress fractures is delayed by 2 to 3 weeks. • MRI is the most sensitive and specific modality for stress fractures. • Stress fractures are often multiple; the underlying cause should be evaluated. • Infratrochanteric lateral femoral fractures suggest an atypical femoral fracture (AFF); endocrinologist referral is advisable.