Bone Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Cancer, including details on symptoms, types, treatment.

Fracture of the femoral neck, the risk of serious underlying pathology.

Ramisetty NM, Pynsent PB, Abudu A

Selly Oak Hospital and Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Bristol road South, Northfield, Birmingham B31 2AP, UK.

Between 1997 and 2003, a total of 2223 patients presented to our hospital with the neck of femur fracture. This retrospective study examines the histological results of 90 patients (4%) suspected of having a fracture associated with serious underlying pathology. The mean age at the time of fracture was 80 years (44-97). The patients were divided into four groups. Group I: 34 patients with fracture without history of fall or trauma. Group II: 21 patients with suspicious lesions on the standard pelvic radiograph taken on admission. Group III: 27 patients with past history of malignancy without known bone metastases. Group IV: 8 patients with past history of malignancy and known bone metastases. None of the patients in groups I and II had significant abnormalities other than osteoporosis. Four patients (15%) in group III and six patients (75%) in group IV had metastases on histological examination. It is concluded that only groups III and IV are likely to have fractures due to metastatic disease.

Published 13 April 2005 in Injury, 36(5): 622-6.
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