Pathological fracture
Updates to Article Attributes
Pathological fractures are fractures that occur in abnormal bone.
Terminology
The term pathological fracture is usually reserved through a malignancy, either benign or malignant, although it has been used in the setting osteomyelitis. It can be used in the setting of generalised metabolic bone disease (e.g. Paget disease, osteopetrosis), although the term insufficiency fracture is probably more correct 4.
Pathology
Location
The most common location for pathological fractures are 4:
- subtrochanteric femur
- humeral head and metaphysis junction
- vertebral body
In addition, in adults patients, the avulsion of the femoral lesser trochanter should be considered a pathological fracture until proven otherwise 4.
Treatment and prognosis
Pathological fractures are feared by oncologists because they may cause immobilisation of their patients, especially when the spine or lower extremities are affected.
Practical points
A radiologist should mention the possibility of a pathological fracture if an osteolytic metastasis is seen. In principle, every osteolytic focus in the femoral neck or the spine is at risk of a pathological fracture.
-<p><strong>Pathological fractures</strong> are fractures that occur in abnormal bone.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>The term <strong>pathological fracture</strong> is usually reserved through a malignancy, either benign or malignant, although it has been used in the setting osteomyelitis. It can be used in the setting of generalised metabolic bone disease (e.g. Paget disease, osteopetrosis), although the term insufficiency fracture is probably more correct <sup>4</sup>. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Location</h5><p>The most common location for pathological fractures are <sup>4</sup>:</p><ul>- +<p><strong>Pathological fractures</strong> are fractures that occur in abnormal bone.</p><h4>Terminology</h4><p>The term <strong>pathological fracture</strong> is usually reserved through a malignancy, either benign or malignant, although it has been used in the setting <a title="Osteomyelitis" href="/articles/osteomyelitis">osteomyelitis</a>. It can be used in the setting of generalised metabolic bone disease (e.g. <a title="Paget disease (bone)" href="/articles/paget-disease-bone">Paget disease</a>, <a title="Osteopetrosis" href="/articles/osteopetrosis">osteopetrosis</a>), although the term <a title="Insufficiency fracture" href="/articles/insufficiency-fracture">insufficiency fracture</a> is probably more correct <sup>4</sup>. </p><h4>Pathology</h4><h5>Location</h5><p>The most common location for pathological fractures are <sup>4</sup>:</p><ul>
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