Spontaneous fracture: multiple causes

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.

Surgical Challenge in the Management of Spontaneous, Bilateral, Nontraumatic, Neglected Femoral Neck Fractures in a Patient With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review

Renal osteodystrophy is a spectrum of diseases that affect several organ systems including the musculoskeletal system by decreasing bone density which increases the risk of fractures. Fractures around the femoral neck are usually traumatic and unilateral and, rarely, bilateral and atraumatic. In this report, we present the case of a 37-year-old female patient with a known history of chronic kidney disease who sustained an atraumatic bilateral neck of femur fracture with late presentation. In addition, we present a review of neglected femoral neck fracture management in a young patient with renal disease and osteoporosis.

Report of a Rare Case of Focal Depressed Fracture of the Tibia in an Adult

Focal depressed fracture of the proximal tibial metaphysis without any articular involvement is a rare condition. We present a case of a 46-year-old man with a lacerated wound over the right proximal tibia after a history of slip and fall. The imaging involved to diagnose the condition included an X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to exclude a pathological fracture and to better delineate the relationship between the fractured bone and the surrounding structures. Conservative management was indicated and implemented with a positive outcome.

Spontaneous Rib Fractures After Breast Cancer Treatment Based on Bone Scans: Comparison Of Conventional Versus Hypofractionated Radiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous rib fractures (SRFs) are defined as fractures without apparent blunt force trauma. This study evaluated the incidence and risk factors of SRFs after treatment of patients with breast cancer based on bone scans. In addition, we analyzed radiation-associated SRFs and identified radiotherapy (RT) factors related to SRF.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 1265 patients with breast cancer who underwent surgery in 2015 at our institution, and were followed-up with at least 3 bone scans. Bone scans were conducted approximately every 12 months after breast cancer treatment. The endpoint was SRF detected by bone scan. In this study, 754 (60%) patients were treated with chemotherapy, 867 (69%) with RT, and 946 (75%) with anti-hormone therapy.

RESULTS

The median follow-up duration was 37.5 months. A total of 209 (16.5%) patients experienced SRFs during follow-up. The incidence of SRFs increased sharply during the 3-year follow-up period after completion of treatment. In multivariate analyses, abnormal bone density, chemotherapy, and RT were significant risk factors for SRFs. In patients treated with RT (n = 867), 159 (18%) rib fractures occurred: 127 (80%) in the ipsilateral breast and 32 (20%) in the contralateral breast. Among the patients with ipsilateral SRFs who received tumor bed boost (n = 84), the SRF occurred inside the boost field in 80 (95%) cases. Multivariate analysis of RT subgroups showed that hypofractionated RT increased the rate of SRFs (P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the rib fractures that occurred after treatment were spontaneous. Hypofractionated RT increased the risk of ipsilateral rib fractures in RT-treated patients.

Metastatic Bone Disease in the Era of Bone-Targeted Therapy: Clinical Impact

Advances in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors by surgery, chemotherapy, biotherapy, radiotherapy and other modalities have increased the survival of cancer patients over the last 20 years. As a consequence, bone now represents the third most common site of metastatic involvement after the lung and liver. Approximately 20–25% of patients with neoplastic disease develop clinically evident bone metastases (BMs) during the natural course of their illness, with a further 50% of such lesions being identified during autopsy. BMs are the major cause of morbidity in cancer patients because of their epidemiological and clinical impact. Pain is the most frequent symptom in about 75% of patients but other serious complications can also occur, such as pathological fractures, spinal cord compression, hypercalcemia and bone marrow suppression. These complications worsen the patient's general condition and reduce patients’ mobility, facilitating the development of lung infections, skin ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, etc., and ultimately reducing prognosis and quality of life. The frequency of serious complications depends on the site and type of lesions and the treatment administered. Over the last 10 years, the introduction of bisphosphonates for the treatment of patients with BMs has led to a marked decrease in the frequency of complications, thus improving quality of life and clinical outcome. Furthermore, progress in understanding the pathophysiology of bone metastases has resulted in the development of new bone-targeted molecules such as denosumab. We therefore felt it would be useful to report on the epidemiological, clinical and economic impact of bone disease in a cancer setting.

Differentiating the Causes of Spontaneous Rib Fracture After Breast Cancer

Spontaneous rib fracture after treatment for primary breast cancer is not uncommon. Although metastatic disease accounts for about 30% of spontaneous rib fractures and should constitute the first line of diagnostic investigation, other possible contributors include primary osteoporosis or secondary osteoporosis resulting from cancer treatments. Chemotherapy-induced menopause, aromatase inhibitors, radiation therapy, and long-term bisphosphonate use can all contribute to bone fragility, including spontaneous rib fractures in the latter 3. Drawing on recent breast cancer practice guidelines as well as population-based studies of fracture risk for women with a history of breast cancer and systematic reviews, this Perspective will provide an update on recent developments in understanding how to differentiate the possible reasons for non-traumatic rib fracture in women treated for breast cancer. In addition to describing the various possible causes of spontaneous rib fracture, the recommended medical and imaging procedures for differentiating among the potential causes will be presented.

DNA methylation levels of CYP2R1 and CYP24A1 predict vitamin D response variation

Factors contributing to the variability of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in response to a given dose of vitamin D supplementation are largely unknown. We examined whether DNA methylation levels of Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes (CYP2R1, CYP24A1, CYP27A1, and CYP27B1) are potential biomarkers predicting vitamin D response variation. We randomized 446 white postmenopausal women to a calcium and vitamin D (1100IU/day) intervention for at least 12 months. From these subjects, 18 with the highest 12-month increase in serum 25(OH)D were selected as "responders." Another 18 with the lowest 12-month increase in serum 25(OH)D were selected as "non-responders." DNA methylation levels between the groups were compared. To validate findings in the first study, association between DNA methylation levels and vitamin D response variation was studied in another 145 extended independent white postmenopausal women. In the first study, compared to non-responders, responders had significantly lower baseline DNA methylation levels in the promoter region of CYP2R1 (8% in the responders vs. 30% in the non-responders, P=0.004), and CYP24A1 (13% in the responders vs. 32% in the non-responders, P=0.001). In the validation study, for CYP2R1, baseline DNA methylation levels at eight CpG sites were negatively associated with 12-month increases in serum 25(OH)D (P<0.05). For CYP24A1, baseline DNA methylation levels at two CpG sites were also negatively associated with vitamin D response variation (r=-0.151, P=0.011; r=-0.131, P=0.025). These negative associations were consistent with the first study's results. Our findings indicate that baseline DNA methylation levels of CYP2R1 and CYP24A1 may predict vitamin D response variation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled '16th Vitamin D Workshop'.

Maintaining bone health in patients with multiple myeloma: survivorship care plan of the International Myeloma Foundation Nurse Leadership Board

About 90% of individuals with multiple myeloma will develop osteolytic bone lesions from increased osteoclastic and decreased osteoblastic activity. Severe morbidities from pathologic fractures and other skeletal events can lead to poor circulation, blood clots, muscle wasting, compromised performance status, and overall poor survival. Supportive care targeting bone disease is an essential adjunct to antimyeloma therapy. In addition, the maintenance of bone health in patients with multiple myeloma can significantly improve quality of life. Oncology nurses and other healthcare providers play a central role in the management of bone disease and maintenance throughout the course of treatment. Safe administration of bisphosphonates, promotion of exercise, maintenance of adequate nutrition, vitamin and mineral supplementation, scheduled radiographic examinations, and monitoring of bone complications are among the important functions that oncology nurses and healthcare providers perform in clinical practice.