Massive bone destruction in a human proximal femur from ancient Nubia.

Massive bone destruction in a human right proximal femur is described and differentially discussed in this case study. The individual was an older adult female buried at the ancient Nubian site of Tombos (modern-day Sudan) dating to the early Napatan/Third Intermediate Period (c. 1069-750 BCE). The right femur displayed a pathologic fracture with extensive lytic destruction and resorption of the entire femoral neck, most of the femoral head, and trochanters. Macroscopic and radiographic analyses revealed cortical thinning of the proximal diaphysis with new bone formation enclosing the medullary cavity. The lesion is eccentrically located involving the anterior aspect of the neck. Numerous vascular channels are apparent in the underlying bone. Sclerotic bone marks the limit of the lesion, and osseous lucency is visible in the radiograph. The individual displayed no other lytic lesions; vertebral osteophytic growth, compression fractures, and Schmorl's nodes were observed along with dental disease typical for older individuals. A traumatic etiology is eliminated due to the extensive osteolysis. Vascular, congenital, and developmental conditions are also not consistent with the observed changes. Expansive osteolytic lesions may have been caused by a cyst. Neoplastic tumors resulting in lytic lesions with a high risk of pathologic fracture are also consistent. There have been few reports of such extensive lytic lesions of the proximal femur in the paleopathological and clinical literature; this case adds an example of this underreported condition.

Lumbar vertebral bone density is decreased in horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Pathological fractures have been reported in equids with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) but their prevalence and pathogenesis is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To compare: (1) bone mineral density (BMD) in weight bearing and nonweight bearing bones in PPID+ equids and aged and young PPID- controls; and (2) biomechanical properties of the fourth lumbar vertebral body in PPID+ equids and aged PPID- equids. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study: five PPID+ equids and six aged and four young PPID- control horses. METHODS: PPID status was based on clinical signs and necropsy examination of the pituitary gland (PG). The lumbar vertebral column, right front third metacarpus (MC3), left hind third metatarsus (MT3), and PG were removed after euthanasia. BMD was determined by quantitative computed tomography of regions of interest (ROI) in each bone and biomechanical testing was performed on the fourth lumbar vertebral body. Serum concentrations of parathormone (PTH), ionised Ca++ , 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and osteocalcin (OC) were also measured. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and correlation analyses. RESULTS: BMD of trabecular and cortical regions of interest (ROI) of the third, fourth (L4), and fifth lumbar vertebrae were significantly lower in PPID+ equids as compared with aged (p < 0. 001) and young (p < 0.01) PPID- controls. In contrast, no differences were found in BMD of trabecular or cortical ROIs of MC3 and MT3 between groups. No differences were detected in force at fracture, displacement at fracture, Young's modulus or strain of L4 between PPID+ and aged PPID- horses. No differences were found in serum PTH, ionised Ca++ , 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or OC concentrations between groups. MAIN LIMITATIONS: Limited number of equids studied and variation in test results. CONCLUSIONS: BMD of nonweight bearing bones can be decreased with PPID and could increase risk of developing pathological fractures.

Long-Term Outcomes of Decompression and Grafting in Acute Pathological Proximal Femur Fractures in Children with Unicameral Bone Cysts: A Retrospective Study Utilizing a 120° Fixed-Angle Low-Contact Locking Pediatric Hip Plate.

BACKGROUND Unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) are benign tumor-like lesions that are the most common cause of pathological proximal femur fracture in children. This study aimed to present the outcomes of acute, unstable, pathological proximal femur fractures secondary to UBCs in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed data on 12 patients with a mean age of 9.3 years (7-12 years) who were initially treated with decompression and grafting, followed by stabilization using a 120° fixed-angle low-contact locking pediatric plate (LCLPP). The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores, Capanna classification of cyst repair, time to union, collodiaphyseal angle (CDA), and limb length discrepancy (LLD) were evaluated. RESULTS The mean follow-up was 33.1 months (range, 13-96 months). The mean union time was 9.5 weeks (8-14 weeks). The mean time for reparation of the cyst was 6.9 months (range 3-9 months). Four patients had Dormans type IB, while the remaining had type IIB fractures. According to the Capanna classification, repairs in 10 cases were grade I and in 2 cases grade II. At the last follow-up, the mean 120.8° of preoperative CDA was corrected to 140.9° (P<0.001) and there was no difference compared to the healthy side (P=0.214). The mean postoperative MSTS score was 97.1% (29.1 points). Two patients experienced LLD at the affected extremities, while the other 10 patients healed without any complications. CONCLUSIONS Fixation of acute unstable fractures secondary to UBCs with a 120° fixed-angle LCLPP is a reliable and successful option after decompression and grafting of the lesion.

Two pathological fractures due to mandibular metastasis, rare in colon cancer; a case report presentation.

We reported on 65 years old patient who has colon cancer and referred to our palliative care center with pain due to enlarging metastatic mass on the dorsal of the right hand. She had swelling and numbness on her jaw. Computed tomography (CT) scan was performed for mandible imaging and two pathologic fractures were detected on the right corpus and right condyle of the mandible. Clinicians should consider possible metastases for terminal stage cancer patients.

Femoral metastatic pathological fractures, impending and actual fractures - A patient survival study.

INTRODUCTION: The skeleton is a common site for metastases. Prostate, breast, lung, renal and thyroid carcinomas account for 80 % of the original cancers, with the femur being the most affected long bone. With improved oncological treatments, prolonged patient survival leads to an increased prevalence of osseous metastases. This study examines the impact of preventive surgery for impending femoral pathological fracture (IFF), versus treatment of pathological femur fracture (PFF) on patient mortality and morbidity. METHODS: Retrospective cohort of 174 patients undergoing surgery due to femoral metastases (2004-2015). Eighty-two patients were with PFF, and 92 were with IFF based on the Mirels' score. The followed-up period was until 2016. Demographic data, oncological, pathological, radiation, surgical reports, outpatient clinical records, and imaging studies were examined. Exclusion criteria included primary tumours and Multiple Myeloma. RESULTS: The mean age was 64.8 ± 13.3 and 60.2 ± 11.9 years (p = 0.02) in the PFF and the IFF cohorts, with 62.1 % women and 57 % men. The breast was the most common source of femoral metastases. The average Mirels' score was 10 ± 1.2. There was an association between tumour origin and survival. Carcinoma of the lung had the worst survival, while the prostate had the most prolonged survival. Survival rates differed between IFF and PFF (p = 0.03). Postoperative complications occurred in 26 % of the patient, with no difference between IFF & PFF. CONCLUSION: Breast and lung are the most common tumours to metastasize the femur. Our study revalidates that pathological femoral fractures impede patient survival compared to impending fractures and should undergo preventive surgery. Postoperative complications do not differ between IFF and PFF but remain relatively high. Overall, patients with proximal femoral metastatic disease survive longer than previously published, probably due to improved treatment modalities.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis in the Pediatric Spine Requiring Stabilization: A Literature Review and Report of 3 Cases.

CASE: This report describes 3 cases of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the cervical and thoracic spine in patients aged 4 to 10 years. Each patient had painful lytic spinal lesions with vertebral body collapse and posterior involvement suggesting instability requiring corpectomy, grafting, and fusion. All 3 patients were doing well at their most recent follow-up without pain or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although LCH of the pediatric spine is usually successfully treated non-operatively, we recommend corpectomy and fusion when there is instability of the spinal column and/or severe stenosis. Posterior element involvement occurred in all 3 cases and may lead to instability.

Is the association of electrochemotherapy and bone fixation rational in patients with bone metastasis?

BACKGROUND: Bone metastases are frequent in patients with cancer. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a minimally invasive treatment based on a high-voltage electric pulse combined with an anticancer drug. Preclinical and clinical studies supported the use of ECT in patients with metastatic bone disease, demonstrating that it does not damage the mineral structure of the bone and its regenerative capacity, and that is feasible and efficient for the treatment of bone metastases. Year 2014 saw the start of a registry of patients with bone metastases treated with ECT, whose data are recorded in a shared database. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: (1) Among patients who underwent ECT and internal fixation for bone metastasis, how many experienced a reduction of pain? (2) How many cases showed a radiological response? (3) How many patients presented local or systemic complication after ECT and fixation? PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were treated in Bologna at Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute between March 2014 and February 2022 and recorded in the REINBONE registry (a shared database protected by security passwords): clinical and radiological information, ECT session, adverse events, response, quality of life indicators, and duration of follow-up were registered. We consider only cases treated with ECT and intramedullary nail during the same surgical session. Patients included in the analysis were 32: 15 males and 17 females, mean age 65 ± 13 years (median 66, range 38-88 years), mean time since diagnosis of primary tumor 6.2 ± 7.0 years (median 2.9, range 0-22 years). Nail was indicated in 13 cases for a pathological fracture in, 19 for an impending fracture. Follow-up was available for 29 patients, as 2 patients were lost to follow-up and 1 was unable to return to controls. Mean follow-up time was 7.7 ± 6.5 months (median 5, range 1-24), and 16 patients (50%) had a follow-up longer than 6 months. RESULTS: A significant decrease in pain intensity was observed at the mean Visual Numeric Scale after treatment. Bone recovery was observed in 13 patients. The other 16 patients remained without changes, and one presented disease progression. One patient presented a fracture occurrence during the ECT procedure. Among all patients, bone recovery was observed in 13 patients: complete recovery in 1 patient (3%) and partial recovery in 12 patients (41%). The other 16 patients remained without changes, and one presented disease progression. One patient presented a fracture occurrence during the ECT procedure. However, healing was possible with normal fracture callus quality and healing time. No other local or systemic complications were observed. CONCLUSION: We found that pain levels decreased after treatment in 23 of the 29 cases for a pain relief rate of 79% at final follow-up. Pain is one of the most important indicators of quality of life in patients that undergo palliative treatments. Even if conventional external body radiotherapy is considered a noninvasive treatment, it presents a dose-dependent toxicity. ECT provides a chemical necrosis preserving osteogenic activity and structural integrity of bone trabeculae; this is a crucial difference with other local treatments and allows bone healing in case of pathological fracture. The risk of local progression in our patient population was small, and 44% experienced bone recovery while 53% of the cases remained unchanged. We observe intraoperative fracture in one case. This technique, in selected patients, improves outcome in bone metastatic patients combing both the efficacy of the ECT in the local control of the disease and the mechanical stability with the bone fixation to synergize their benefits. Moreover, the risk of complication is very low. Although encouraging data, comparative studies are required to quantify the real efficacy of the technique. Level of Evidence Level I, therapeutic study.

Examining agreement between finite element modelling methodologies in predicting pathological fracture risk in proximal femurs with bone metastases.

BACKGROUND: Finite element modelling methodologies available for assessing femurs with metastases accurately predict strength and pathological fracture risk which has led them to being considered for implementation into the clinic. However, the models available use varying material models, loading conditions, and critical thresholds. The aim of this study was to determine the agreement between finite element modelling methodologies in assessing fracture risk in proximal femurs with metastases. METHODS: CT images of the proximal femur were obtained of 7 patients who presented with a pathologic femoral fracture (fracture group) and the contralateral femur of 11 patients scheduled for prophylactic surgery (non-fracture group). Fracture risk was predicted for each patient following three established finite modelling methodologies which have previously shown to accurately predict strength and determine fracture risk: non-linear isotropic -based model, strain fold ratio -based model, Hoffman failure criteria -based model. FINDINGS: The methodologies demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy in assessing fracture risk (AUC = 0.77, 0.73, and 0.67). There was a stronger monotonic association between the non-linear isotropic and Hoffman -based models (τ = 0.74) than with the strain fold ratio model (τ = -0.24 and - 0.37). There was moderate or low agreement between methodologies in discriminating between individuals at high or low risk of fracture (κ = 0.20, 0.39, and 0.62). INTERPRETATION: The present results suggest there may be a lack of consistency in the management of pathological fractures in the proximal femur based on the finite element modelling methodologies.

An unusual case of metaphyseal osteonecrosis of humerus in a post covid patient: a case report.

Osteonecrosis of the metaphysis is often rare as it is a highly vascular region. Here we report an unusual case of non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the humerus predominantly involving the metaphysis in a post covid elderly female. The patient had a pathological fracture of humerus during the post-operative period of intertrochanteric femur fracture surgery. She was evaluated for the causes of pathological fracture and the fracture was managed with hemi replacement of the shoulder because of the extensive bone loss. The pathology here could only be explained as some sequelae of hyper inflammatory state associated with COVID-19 infection. The possible differentials are also discussed here. This case report will help clinicians to consider COVID-19 infection as a cause for non-traumatic osteonecrosis among other reported causes of osteonecrosis.

[Intramedullary Nailing in Managing Diaphyseal Metastases of Long Bones: Retrospective Study Comparing the Expected Survival and the Actual Survival of Patients]. / Intramedulární hreb v lécbe metastatického postizení diafýz dlouhých kostí: retrospektivní studie s ohledem na srovnání prognózy doby dozití a reálné prezití pacientu.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The paper focuses on the potential use of nail osteosynthesis in diaphyseal metastases of long bones. The purpose of the paper is to assess the outcomes of intramedullary osteosynthesis in pathologic and impending pathologic fractures, to evaluate patient survival and potential complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS The retrospective study evaluated a cohort of 42 patients (19 men and 23 women) in whom intramedullary osteosynthesis was performed for complete pathologic fracture (28 patients) or impending pathologic fracture (14 patients) between 2010 and 2019. Of the total number of 42 patients, 31 patients' lower limbs were affected, namely by 17 pathologic fractures and 14 impending fractures. There were 11 humerus fractures. The mean age was 61.8 years (range 41-84 years). In the followed-up cohort, the patient survival after osteosynthesis with intramedullary nails, complications occurred and post-operative mobility of the patient were assessed. The functional outcomes were evaluated using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scoring system. The unpaired Mann-Whitney test was used to test the significance of the difference in functional outcomes and survival between the followed-up groups. Survival longer than 6 months was evaluated using Fisher's exact test. The level of statistical significance used for the test was p 0.05. RESULTS The investigated indicator was patient survival, which was 11.3 months (range 1-50 months) on average. In the group of impending fractures, the mean survival was 13.5 months. In the group of pathologic fractures, the survival was 10 months. The functional outcome in 16 followed-up patients at three months after intramedullary osteosynthesis according to the MSTS score was 46.9% (30-66.7%). At the level of significance of p 0.05, the statistically significant difference in the functional outcomes between the group with preventive intramedullary osteosynthesis and the group with nail osteosynthesis of the pathologic fracture was not confirmed (p=0.952). When comparing the patient survival after nail osteosynthesis with impending pathologic fracture and the survival of patients with pathologic fracture, a statistically significant difference in survival between these two groups (p=0.520) was not confirmed. The patient survival of longer than 6 months was 71% in the group of impending fractures and 40% in the group of pathologic fractures. DISCUSSION The occurrence of pathologic fracture is associated with increased pain, loss of function, and according to some authors, a higher risk of death. Surgical treatment options include intramedullary osteosynthesis, plate osteosynthesis with cement filling, implantation of an intercalary spacer, and implantation of tumor endoprostheses. When deciding on a surgical procedure, an account is taken of the expected survival of the patient. In patients with an expected survival of up to 6 months, intramedullary osteosynthesis is indicated as a palliative surgical intervention. The most common complications include implant failure and metastatic progression. CONCLUSIONS Intramedullary osteosynthesis is the method of choice in treating pathologic fractures or impending pathologic diaphyseal fractures of long bones in patients with an expected predicted survival of up to 6 months. Intramedullary osteosynthesis aims to reduce pain and enable early verticalization. The study confirmed the importance of preventive intramedullary osteosynthesis and its effect on survival compared to the survival of patients with a pathologic fracture. Key words: skeletal metastases, diaphyseal metastases, intramedullary osteosynthesis, pathologic fracture, impending fracture.

Risk assessment of femoral pathological fracture in prostate cancer patients by computed tomography analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer often forms osteoblastic lesions that appear as a high-dense shadow upon X-ray. Although the lesions may seem to increase bone strength, pathological fracture occurs in one in four patients with prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to elucidate the factors that may increase the risk of pathological fracture in patients with prostate cancer metastases in the proximal femur by analyzing computed tomography data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computed tomography data of the femur of 62 prostate cancer patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups based on the presence or absence of femoral metastatic lesions and pathological fracture. Surgical specimens of the proximal femur collected from patients who had a pathological fracture were histologically analyzed. RESULTS: Bone density in the marrow area was increased in all cases with metastases compared with those with no metastases. Contrarily, the cortical bone density at the medial trochanter region was significantly lower in patients who had pathological fractures in the proximal femur than those who did not. Accordingly, histological analysis of the surgical specimens revealed that the affected cortical bone was osteopenic without any apparent new bone formation. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that prostate cancer is less effective in inducing bone formation in the cortex than in the marrow and that the decrease in the cortical bone density at the medial trochanter region leads to an increased risk of pathological fracture. Therefore, a previously undocumented risk factor for pathological fracture in prostate cancer patients is presented.

Common Pitfalls in the Management of Bone Metastasis of the Extremities - a Current Concept and Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The surgical treatment of patients with bone metastasis of the extremities poses a set of unique challenges. We aimed to highlight common hazards when treating pathological fractures as well as hazards surrounding assumptions on metastatic status and life expectancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This systematic literature review includes studies published from January 1, 1985 to May 7, 2021. Published articles were surveyed using PubMed. Of 99 studies, 32 original articles were found to meet the inclusion criteria. The PRISMA guidelines were used to select articles. RESULTS: Current literature reports a variety of common pitfalls. In order to avoid pitfalls, it is essential to secure the diagnosis. Furthermore, life expectancy must be given consideration when planning surgical therapy. In addition, a well-functioning multidisciplinary team is needed to coordinate further options such as radiation or embolization. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the surgical principles for treating bone metastases of the extremities are often to the point, incorporating all the nuances of treatment is a meticulous procedure.

Pathological fracture in paediatric bone tumours and tumour-like lesions: A predictor of benign lesions?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and causes of pathological fractures in paediatric bone tumours and tumour-like lesions, and to determine if they are predictive of benign lesions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective review of children with suspected bone tumours referred to a specialist musculoskeletal oncology service between September 2019 and August 2020. Data recorded included patient age and gender, lesion location, the presence of a pathological fracture on the initial plain radiograph, and the final diagnosis made either by image-guided biopsy/curettage or based on typical imaging features. RESULTS: 231 patients were included with 233 lesions (138 males and 93 females with mean age 10.5 years, range 3 months-18 years). Final diagnosis was based on histology in 85 (36.5%) cases and imaging in 148 (63.5%) cases, 52 (22.3%) lesions classed as non-neoplastic, 139 (59.7%) as benign and 42 (18%) as malignant. Pathological fractures were seen in 41 cases (17.6%) at presentation, involving the humerus in 19 (46.3%), the femur in 14 (34.1%), the tibia in 3 (7.3%), the fibula and radius in two each (4.9%) and the second toe proximal phalanx in 1 (2.4%) (p < 0.001). The commonest underlying lesions included simple bone cyst (n = 17; 41.5%) and non-ossifying fibroma (n = 10; 24.4%). Only 4 cases (9.75%) were malignant, one case each of osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, leukaemia and BCOR undifferentiated round cell sarcoma. Pathological fracture occurred in 27.7% of non-malignant lesions and 9.5% of malignant lesions, this difference being statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pathological fractures were seen in 17.6% of paediatric bone tumours, tumour-like lesions, being significantly associated with humeral location and non-malignant diagnosis. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: Demonstrates the frequency, location and underlying diagnosis of pathological fractures in paediatric bone tumour and tumour-like lesions.

GATA-3 expression in a de-differentiated chondrosarcoma with cutaneous iatrogenic implantation: a diagnostic pitfall with important clinical implications.

De-differentiated chondrosarcoma (DDCS) is an extremely aggressive tumor of the bone characterized by a high-grade, non-chondroid sarcoma adjacent to a low- or intermediate-grade chondrosarcoma. Adequate tumor sampling demonstrating the biphasic features is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis. The diagnosis may be challenging as histopathology may mimic other neoplasms. We present a case of a 76-year-old woman with a history of breast cancer who presented with a pathologic non-displaced fracture. A bone biopsy demonstrated a high-grade neoplasm composed of pleomorphic spindled and epithelioid cells with focal expression of AE1/3 and GATA3, most likely consistent with metastatic breast carcinoma. After a difficult clinical course, the tumor was resected demonstrating a similar morphology to her prior biopsy, as well as an area of a low-grade cartilaginous neoplasm consistent with chondrosarcoma. The biphasic tumor alongside a low-grade chondrosarcoma allowed for a diagnosis of DDCS. Several days after her procedure, the patient developed violaceous nodules overlying and surrounding the surgical site. Skin biopsy demonstrated a malignant epithelioid neoplasm with identical histomorphologic features identical to her prior bone resection. Given the location of the skin lesions directly within the surgical site right after resection, the clinical-pathological picture was that of sarcomatosis cutis by iatrogenic cutaneous implantation.

Risk Assessment for Pathological Fracture After Bone Tumour Biopsy.

AIM: This study aimed to identify the risk of pathological fractures after bone tumour biopsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty rabbit femurs were divided into groups according to defect size: Control (no defect), type 1 (10% width), type 2 (20% width), type 3 (30% width), and type 4 (40% width). Another 20 were also divided into control, type A (27% length), type B (40% length), and type C (53% length) groups. Performing femoral head compression testing allowed each parameter (maximum load, displacement, elastic modulus, and fracture energy) to be calculated individually. RESULTS: Compressive maximum load was significantly higher for type 1 than for the other types when testing rectangular defects of different widths, while there were no significant differences between the three types when testing by defect length. CONCLUSION: It may be useful for orthopaedic oncologists to make a rectangular biopsy hole with a width measuring less than 10% of the circumference and to enlarge the hole longitudinally to avoid pathological fracture.

Pathologic Hip Fracture by Virtue of a Rare Osseous Manifestation of Gout: A Case Report.

CASE: A 76-year-old woman without a personal or family history of gout presented with complaints of left hip pain after a mechanical fall from her wheelchair. Advanced imaging revealed a nonspecific lesion and nondisplaced fracture of the femoral neck. Intraoperative biopsy from the lesion/fracture demonstrated tophaceous gout. CONCLUSION: Fractures resulting from osseous manifestations of the gout are rare with this report describing a hip fracture secondary to tophaceous gout. We emphasize the importance of including this potential etiology in the differential diagnosis of elderly patients presenting with hip pain, with or without a known history of gout.

Prediction of pathological fracture in patients with lower limb bone metastasis using computed tomography imaging.

Lower limb pathological fractures caused by bone metastases can severely impair activities of daily living, so recognizing fracture risk is essential. Medial cortical involvement (MCI) in the proximal femur has been demonstrated to affect bone strength in biomechanical studies, but it has not been investigated in real patients. Between 2012 and 2019, 161 bone metastases with computed tomography (CT) images were retrospectively examined. Twenty-nine fractures were observed including 14 metastases with pathological fractures at the first examination, and prophylactic surgery was performed for 50 metastases. We extracted clinicopathological data using CT images, including patient's background, MCI in the proximal femur, site, size, circumferential cortical involvement (CCI), pain, and nature of metastasis. Cox proportional hazard regression analyses were performed, and we created integer scores for predicting fractures. We revealed that MCI, CCI, lytic dominant lesion, and pain were significant factors by univariate analyses. By multivariable analysis, MCI and each 25% CCI were significant and integer score 1 was assigned based on hazard ratio. The full score was four points, with MCI in the proximal femur (one point) and ≥ 75% CCI (three points). With integer score two, sensitivity was 88.9% and specificity was 81.2% for predicting fracture within 60 days. In conclusion, MCI and CCI examined by CT images were the risk factors for pathological fracture. CCI ≥ 50% is a widely known risk factor, but in addition, it may be better to consider surgery if MCI in the proximal femur is observed in metastasis with 25-50% CCI.

Bone Evaluation by High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography in Patients With Adrenal Incidentaloma.

CONTEXT: Data regarding high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in patients with adrenal incidentaloma (AI) are unknown. PURPOSE: To evaluate the areal bone mineral density (aBMD), microstructure, and fractures in patients with nonfunctioning AI (NFAI) and autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS). METHODS: We evaluated 45 patients with NFAI (1 mg dexamethasone suppression test [DST] ≤1.8 µg/dL) and 30 patients with ACS (1 mg DST 1.9-5.0 µg/dL). aBMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; vertebral fracture by spine X-ray; and bone geometry, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), and microstructure by HR-pQCT. RESULTS: Patients with ACS showed lower aBMD values at the spine, femoral neck, and radius 33% than those with NFAI. Osteoporosis was frequent in both groups: NFAI (64.9%) and ACS (75%). Parameters at the distal radius by HR-pQCT were decreased in patients with ACS compared to those with NFAI: trabecular vBMD (Tb.vBMD, P = 0.03), inner zone of the trabecular region (Inn.Tb.vBMD, P = 0.01), the bone volume/tissue volume ratio (BV/TV, P = 0.03) and trabecular thickness (P = 0.04). As consequence, a higher ratio of the outer zone of the trabecular region/inner zone vBMD (Meta/Inn.vBMD, P = 0.003) was observed. A correlation between the cortisol levels after 1 mg DST and Meta/Inn.vBMD ratio was found (r = 0.29; P = 0.01). The fracture frequency was 73.7% in patients with ACS vs 55.6% in patients with NFAI (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Our findings point to an association between trabecular bone microarchitectural derangement at the distal radius and ACS. Our data suggest that AI have a negative impact on bone when assessed by HR-pQCT, probably associated to subclinical hypercortisolism.