Atraumatic fractures of the femur

Diagnostic Evaluation of Stress Injuries of the Hip Using MR Imaging

Understanding the complex anatomy and development of the hip is crucial for diagnosing and categorizing femoral neck stress fractures in athletes. These fractures result from repetitive mechanical loading, affecting trabecular structure. Various risk factors include hormonal imbalances and hip geometry. Although radiographs are initial diagnostic tools, MR imaging is the gold standard, distinguishing between stress reactions and fractures. Treatment involves surgical fixation, whereas nonsurgical methods for less severe fractures have good results. Overall, comprehensive knowledge is essential for effective diagnosis and correct early management of femoral neck stress fractures.

Atypical Presentation of Multiple Myeloma Affecting Appendicular Skeleton Associated with Pathological Neck of Femur and Proximal Humerus Fractures - A Case Report

Introduction

The increasing incidence of atraumatic neck of femur (NOF) fractures, often linked to age-related bone weakening, is a notable clinical trend. This case report highlights a 72-year-old male presenting with NOF and proximal humerus fractures post-trivial fall, revealing lytic lesions suggestive of multiple myeloma (MM). Despite inconclusive skeletal and metabolic evaluations, a comprehensive surgical approach confirmed MM, emphasizing the importance of thorough diagnostic and therapeutic management in complex cases.

Case Report

A 72-year-old male presented with a trivial fall resulting in hip and shoulder trauma, revealing right transcervical NOF and proximal humerus fractures on X-rays, alongside multiple lytic lesions suggesting MM. Despite inconclusive metabolic evaluations, conservative management was pursued for the humerus fracture, while a complex surgical approach involving curettage and cemented bipolar hemiarthroplasty was undertaken for the femur fracture, confirming MM on histopathology.

Conclusion

Evaluating atypical MM manifestations in the appendicular skeleton requires comprehensive assessment and diagnostic procedures to influence outcomes and improve quality of life. Managing suspected pathological fractures involves detailed evaluation and surgical planning, highlighting the importance of collaboration among different specialties.

Microstructure of the radial head: Insights into anatomical variations and implications for advanced interventions

Appropriate management of radial head fractures is integral to prevent long-term consequences like chronic pain and loss of motion. Advanced imaging systems, like micro-computed tomography (μCT), are valuable for understanding radial head fracture patterns as they utilize micrometer scale resolution to define important parameters of bone health like cortical density and trabecular thickness. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the structural morphology of the radial head utilizing μCT. Nine fresh-frozen cadaveric human radii were divided into four equal quadrants, based, and labeled as posteromedial, posterolateral, anteromedial, and anterolateral. Quadrants were scanned with a SCANCO MicroCT40 with both cortical and cancellous bone density measurements at a resolution of 36.0 μm. Bone density, direct trabecular number, and trabecular thickness were recorded as milligrams of hydroxyapatite/cm3. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was performed to compare the bone densities, trabecular number, and trabecular thickness of each of the four quadrants (p < 0.05). The posteromedial quadrant contained substantially more bone than other quadrants. Significantly greater bone densities were found in the posteromedial quadrant (148.1 mg of HA/cm3) compared to the anteromedial quadrant (54.6 mg of HA/cm3), posterolateral quadrant (137.5 mg of HA/cm3) compared to the anteromedial quadrant (54.6 mg of HA/cm3), and posterolateral quadrant (137.5 mg of HA/cm3) compared to the anterolateral quadrant (58.1 mg of HA/cm3). The trabecular number was not significantly different between quadrants. Trabecular thickness was significantly lower in the anterolateral (0.1417 mg of HA/cm3) and anteromedial (0.1416 mg of HA/cm3) quadrants compared to the posteromedial (0.1809 mg of HA/cm3) quadrant. The posterior half of the radial head was found to have a higher density of columns and arches compared to the anterior half. The microstructure of trabecular bone in the distal radius forms columns, struts, and arches, which allow for efficient transmission of stress through the bone. The microstructure of the radial head has similar microarchitecture to the distal radius with the present study identifying the presence of columns and arches in the radial head. These structures, along with trabecular density, in the posterior radial head may explain the lower incidence of fractures involving the posterior half of the radial head. Furthermore, our study supports the idea that the high incidence of fractures involving the anterolateral quadrant is due to microarchitecture characteristics and the relative lack of supportive structures compared to other areas. The novel insight gained from this study will aid in the development of advanced interventions for preventative measures and better treatment of radial head fractures like more satisfactory purchase when screws are directed towards the denser posteromedial quadrant.

Atraumatic Fractures in Multi-Morbid Older Adults: A Series of Five Cases and Review of Literature

Atraumatic fractures (ATFs) are a fragility fracture subtype with occasional medicolegal issues. ATFs are defined as fractures because of a "low-energy mechanism that is usually considered incapable of producing a fracture." They are an underreported disorder, with epidemiological variations. ATF phenomena were previously reported not only in older adults, but also in children, young adults, older adults, and animals. This study is a short retrospective case series exploring atraumatic fractures in a tertiary care university hospital. Over a period of two years, a total of seven ATF cases were identified. However, only five fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Local causes of pathologic fractures (e.g., metastasis) and elder abuse or neglect were excluded. Comparison of the cases' clinical profile, fracture profile, and management was done. All five cases were frail females with significant osteotoxic burdens from medications and multi-morbidities. ATF presentations included typical (as pain) and atypical (as painless, loud crack, and sudden giveaway) symptomatology. One ATF had a coincident unexplained aseptic fever. Three cases had more than one fracture (fracture cascade), confirmed and followed up by x-rays. All the cases were managed conservatively except for one case that underwent hip hemiarthroplasty. Plans of care included managing the osteotoxic multi-morbidities burden, focusing on the whole body, not only on the fracture or bone. The study provided insights about challenges in presentations of ATF (as the bone fracture acute phase reaction: osteogenic aseptic fever). Risk factors are classically assumed to be osteoporosis, but it is usually systemic and multifactorial. A high risk of fracture warning sign could help decrease ATF occurrence or fracture cascades. Four ATF categories were detected to help healthcare systems identify high-risk patients and raise awareness among medical staff, families, and caregivers. Future studies of the at-risk groups are needed to understand ATF knowledge gaps, challenges, and the best treatments.

Bilateral Nonunion of Femoral Neck Fractures Because of Nutritional Osteomalacia: A Report of 2 Cases

CASE

We report 2 cases of atraumatic, bilateral femoral neck fracture nonunions. Both the patients were relatively young and had underlying nutritional osteomalacia. In both cases, valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy was performed along with vitamin D and calcium supplementation. The patients were followed up for an average of 3 years and achieved bone union without any complications.

CONCLUSION

Bilateral femoral neck fractures are rare, and bilateral nonunion of femoral neck fractures secondary to osteomalacia is even rarer. Valgus intertrochanteric osteotomy can salvage the hip. Correction of underlying osteomalacia by vitamin D and calcium supplementation preceeded surgical intervention in our cases.

"Do-not-touch" lesions of bone revisited

Incidental bone lesions are encountered frequently in day-to-day practice. Many of these lesions are indeterminate requiring referral to specialist centres for further characterisation with or without biopsy; however, as biopsy has its own drawbacks, not all lesions can be subjected to biopsy. The primary role of a radiologist in these situations is to characterise these lesions based on their imaging appearances into aggressive lesions requiring biopsy and non-aggressive lesions that do not require a biopsy. The term "do-not-touch lesion" is used to describe a lesion with typical radiographic appearances that can be characterised based on radiographic appearances alone without needing a biopsy. With recent advances in imaging, many incidental lesions can be characterised into do-not-touch lesions based on their imaging appearances alone using a single imaging technique or using a combination of imaging techniques and, less frequently, with the additional help of serological investigations, without the need for biopsy. Hence, the definition of do-not-touch lesions of bone needs a revisit. In this article, we attempt to redefine do-not-touch lesions of bone and propose an imaging-based classification for characterisation of these lesions.