Pathologic fracture of the thoracic spine in a male master ultra-marathoner due to the combination of a vertebral hemangioma and osteopenia.

ABSTRACT

Vertebral hemangiomas are the most common benign vertebral neoplasms and are generally asymptomatic. In the present study, we report the case of a 52-year-old male master ultra-marathoner suffering from a pathologic fracture of the thoracic spine due to a vertebral hemangioma. A further examination in the athlete revealed an accompanying osteopenia, which was most likely due to a deficiency in both vitamin D and testosterone. The treatment of the fracture consisted of percutaneous vertebroplasty. Shortly after the operation the athlete was able to continue running. The most likely reason for the pathologic fracture of the vertebral body was the combination of the vertebral hemangioma and osteopenia. The further treatment consisted of supplementation of both vitamin D and testosterone. Athletes and physicians should be aware that male master ultra-marathoners older than 50 years might suffer from osteopenia, where a deficiency in vitamin D and testosterone could be contributing factors for osteopenia development in general.