Pelvic insufficiency fractures

Changed by Tim Luijkx, 9 Nov 2015

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Pelvic insufficiency fractures are a relatively common subtype of insufficiency fracture, and are recognised as a major cause of low back, buttock and groin pain in susceptible populations.

Clinical presentation

Patients most frequently present with a history of minor trauma or an insidious onset of pain in the above noted locations.

Pathology

Senile/postmenopausal osteoporosis is the most common predisposing factor. Other important risk factors include:

Radiographic features

Plain film, MRI and scintigraphic appearance at the site of fracture are the same as with all insufficiency fractures. They often occur 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 remodelling has begun.

Common locations include:

  • 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 vertical fracture paralleling the sacroiliac joint
  • supracetabular region: about about 1/3are associated with sacral insufficiency fractures
  • iliac wing:oblique fracture through the iliac wing, oriented somewhat parallel to the iliac crest.
  • pubic rami: nearly nearly 90% of fractures at this site occur in conjunction with insufficiency fractures elsewhere within the pelvis
  • parasymphyseal:(parasymphyseal insufficiency fracture4-5,5) also also frequently associated with other pelvic insufficiency fractures
  • -<li><a href="/articles/rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis </a></li>
  • +<li><a href="/articles/rheumatoid-arthritis">rheumatoid arthritis </a></li>
  • -</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Plain film, MRI and scintigraphic appearance at the site of fracture are the same as with all <a href="/articles/insufficiency-fracture">insufficiency fractures</a>. 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 remodelling has begun.</p><p>Common locations include:</p><ul>
  • +</ul><h4>Radiographic features</h4><p>Plain film, MRI and scintigraphic appearance at the site of fracture are the same as with all <a href="/articles/insufficiency-fracture">insufficiency fractures</a>. 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 remodelling has begun.</p><p>Common locations include:</p><ul>
  • -<strong><a href="/articles/sacrum">sacrum</a>:</strong> (<a title="Sacral insufficiency fractures" href="/articles/sacral-insufficiency-fractures">sacral insufficiency fracture</a>) usually vertically through the sacral ala, paralleling the <a href="/articles/sacroiliac-joint">sacroiliac joint</a>, often with a transverse component - this pattern resembles the capital letter H, leading to the designation <a href="/articles/h-sign">H sign</a> (or Honda sign)</li>
  • +<strong><a href="/articles/sacrum">sacrum</a>:</strong> (<a href="/articles/sacral-insufficiency-fractures">sacral insufficiency fracture</a>) usually vertically through the sacral ala, paralleling the <a href="/articles/sacroiliac-joint">sacroiliac joint</a>, often with a transverse component - this pattern resembles the capital letter H, leading to the designation <a href="/articles/h-sign">H-sign</a> (or Honda sign)</li>
  • -<strong>medial iliac:</strong> vertical fracture paralleling the sacroiliac joint</li>
  • +<strong>medial iliac:</strong> vertical fracture paralleling the sacroiliac joint</li>
  • -<strong>supracetabular region:</strong> about 1/3<sup> </sup>are associated with sacral insufficiency fractures</li>
  • +<strong>supracetabular region:</strong> about 1/3<sup> </sup>are associated with sacral insufficiency fractures</li>
  • -<strong>iliac wing: </strong>oblique fracture through the iliac wing, oriented somewhat parallel to the iliac crest.</li>
  • +<strong>iliac wing: </strong>oblique fracture through the iliac wing, oriented somewhat parallel to the iliac crest</li>
  • -<strong>pubic rami:</strong> nearly 90% of fractures at this site occur in conjunction with insufficiency fractures elsewhere within the pelvis</li>
  • +<strong>pubic rami:</strong> nearly 90% of fractures at this site occur in conjunction with insufficiency fractures elsewhere within the pelvis</li>
  • -<strong>parasymphyseal:</strong> (<a href="/articles/parasymphyseal-insufficiency-fracture">parasymphyseal insufficiency fracture</a> <sup>4-5</sup>) also frequently associated with other pelvic insufficiency fractures</li>
  • +<strong>parasymphyseal:</strong> (<a href="/articles/parasymphyseal-insufficiency-fracture">parasymphyseal insufficiency fracture</a> <sup>4,5</sup>) also frequently associated with other pelvic insufficiency fractures</li>

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