Pelvic insufficiency fractures
Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data
Citation:
Skalski M, Bickle I, Elfeky M, et al. Pelvic insufficiency fractures. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 04 Dec 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-21219
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rID:
21219
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Disclosures:
At the time the article was created Matt Skalski had no recorded disclosures.
View Matt Skalski's current disclosures
Last revised:
Disclosures:
At the time the article was last revised Ian Bickle had no recorded disclosures.
View Ian Bickle's current disclosures
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Systems:
Synonyms:
- Pelvic insufficiency fracture
Pelvic insufficiency fractures are a relatively common subtype of insufficiency fracture, and are recognized as a major cause of low back, buttock and groin pain in susceptible populations.
On this page:
Epidemiology
Senile/postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common predisposing factor. Other important risk factors include:
- renal failure
- rheumatoid arthritis
- extended corticosteroid use
- history of radiation therapy
- mechanical changes after hip arthroplasty
Clinical presentation
Patients most frequently present with a history of minor trauma or an insidious onset of pain in the above noted locations.
Radiographic features
Plain film, MRI and scintigraphic appearance at the site of fracture are the same as with all insufficiency fractures. They often occur in characteristic locations and patterns within the pelvis, and are best detected and evaluated using bone scintigraphy and/or MRI. CT is a relatively insensitive method of detection. Pelvic insufficiency fractures are typically occult on plain film unless secondary remodeling has begun.
Common locations include the following:
- sacrum: (sacral insufficiency fracture) usually vertically through the sacral ala, paralleling the sacroiliac joint, often with a transverse component - this pattern resembles the capital letter H, leading to the designation H sign (or Honda sign)
- medial iliac: vertical fracture paralleling the sacroiliac joint
- supra-acetabular region: about 1/3 are associated with sacral insufficiency fractures
- iliac wing: oblique fracture through the iliac wing, oriented somewhat parallel to the iliac crest
- pubic rami: nearly 90% of fractures at this site occur in conjunction with insufficiency fractures elsewhere within the pelvis
- parasymphyseal: (parasymphyseal insufficiency fracture 4,5) also frequently associated with other pelvic insufficiency fractures
References
- 1. Cabarrus MC, Ambekar A, Lu Y et-al. MRI and CT of insufficiency fractures of the pelvis and the proximal femur. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2008;191 (4): 995-1001. doi:10.2214/AJR.07.3714 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Peh WC, Khong PL, Yin Y et-al. Imaging of pelvic insufficiency fractures. Radiographics. 1996;16 (2): 335-48. Radiographics (citation) - Pubmed citation
- 3. Isdale AH. Sacral insufficiency fractures: an unsuspected cause of low back pain. Rheumatology (Oxford). 1999;38 (1): 90. - Pubmed citation
- 4. Casey D, Mirra J, Staple TW. Parasymphyseal insufficiency fractures of the os pubis. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1984;142 (3): 581-6. doi:10.2214/ajr.142.3.581 - Pubmed citation
- 5. Davies AM, Evans NS, Struthers GR. Parasymphyseal and associated insufficiency fractures of the pelvis and sacrum. Br J Radiol. 1988;61 (722): 103-8. doi:10.1259/0007-1285-61-722-103 - Pubmed citation
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