Atypical lumbar pedicle fractures. A case report and comparative review of the literature: Bisphosphonate-related? Possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femur

Introduction: Bisphosphonates are commonly used to prevent osteoporotic fractures. Many randomized controlled trials have proved the efficacy of bisphosphonates, showing their ability to increase bone mineral density and decrease the risk of hip and vertebral fractures. Atypical, bisphosphonate-rela...

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Main Authors: Emmanouil Theodorakis, Georgios Touloupakis, Guido Antonini, Maria Gabriella Lettera, Marco Teli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-01-01
Series:Brain and Spine
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529424000420
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author Emmanouil Theodorakis
Georgios Touloupakis
Guido Antonini
Maria Gabriella Lettera
Marco Teli
author_facet Emmanouil Theodorakis
Georgios Touloupakis
Guido Antonini
Maria Gabriella Lettera
Marco Teli
author_sort Emmanouil Theodorakis
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Bisphosphonates are commonly used to prevent osteoporotic fractures. Many randomized controlled trials have proved the efficacy of bisphosphonates, showing their ability to increase bone mineral density and decrease the risk of hip and vertebral fractures. Atypical, bisphosphonate-related fractures concerning the femur have been widely described and a list of primary and secondary clinical and radiographic criteria are used in order to achieve diagnosis. Research question: To identify clinical and radiographic findings for a possible association of vertebral fractures to prolonged bisphosphonate therapy. Material and methods: In this paper we present a case of an atraumatic bilateral pedicle lumbar fracture, assuming the hypothesis of an insufficiency atypical fracture due to prolonged Alendronate therapy for osteoporosis. We highlight the various aspects for diagnosis, treatment and a review of the existing literature was carried out. Discussion and conclusion: Atypical fractures in the spine are rarely reported in the literature. Pedicle anatomy is partially similar to a long bone, described as a strong bridge between the posterior arch and the vertebral body composed of a cortical bone and a cancellous core. Stress fractures are reported as a result of an underlying bone disease, trauma, post-surgery and stress fractures. In our opinion, the criteria described for atypical femoral fractures are a useful tool to also classify these rare pedicle lesions as insufficiency, bisphosphonate-correlated fractures.
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spelling doaj-art-4666e66c740d413cb0d91db787a5b70f2025-08-20T01:56:20ZengElsevierBrain and Spine2772-52942024-01-01410278610.1016/j.bas.2024.102786Atypical lumbar pedicle fractures. A case report and comparative review of the literature: Bisphosphonate-related? Possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femurEmmanouil Theodorakis0Georgios Touloupakis1Guido Antonini2Maria Gabriella Lettera3Marco Teli4Corresponding author.; Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Via Pio II 3, Milano, ItalyConsultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Via Pio II 3, Milano, ItalyConsultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Via Pio II 3, Milano, ItalyConsultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Via Pio II 3, Milano, ItalyConsultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, San Carlo Borromeo Hospital, Via Pio II 3, Milano, ItalyIntroduction: Bisphosphonates are commonly used to prevent osteoporotic fractures. Many randomized controlled trials have proved the efficacy of bisphosphonates, showing their ability to increase bone mineral density and decrease the risk of hip and vertebral fractures. Atypical, bisphosphonate-related fractures concerning the femur have been widely described and a list of primary and secondary clinical and radiographic criteria are used in order to achieve diagnosis. Research question: To identify clinical and radiographic findings for a possible association of vertebral fractures to prolonged bisphosphonate therapy. Material and methods: In this paper we present a case of an atraumatic bilateral pedicle lumbar fracture, assuming the hypothesis of an insufficiency atypical fracture due to prolonged Alendronate therapy for osteoporosis. We highlight the various aspects for diagnosis, treatment and a review of the existing literature was carried out. Discussion and conclusion: Atypical fractures in the spine are rarely reported in the literature. Pedicle anatomy is partially similar to a long bone, described as a strong bridge between the posterior arch and the vertebral body composed of a cortical bone and a cancellous core. Stress fractures are reported as a result of an underlying bone disease, trauma, post-surgery and stress fractures. In our opinion, the criteria described for atypical femoral fractures are a useful tool to also classify these rare pedicle lesions as insufficiency, bisphosphonate-correlated fractures.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529424000420Lumbar fractureAtypicalBisphosphonatePercutaneous fixation
spellingShingle Emmanouil Theodorakis
Georgios Touloupakis
Guido Antonini
Maria Gabriella Lettera
Marco Teli
Atypical lumbar pedicle fractures. A case report and comparative review of the literature: Bisphosphonate-related? Possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femur
Brain and Spine
Lumbar fracture
Atypical
Bisphosphonate
Percutaneous fixation
title Atypical lumbar pedicle fractures. A case report and comparative review of the literature: Bisphosphonate-related? Possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femur
title_full Atypical lumbar pedicle fractures. A case report and comparative review of the literature: Bisphosphonate-related? Possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femur
title_fullStr Atypical lumbar pedicle fractures. A case report and comparative review of the literature: Bisphosphonate-related? Possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femur
title_full_unstemmed Atypical lumbar pedicle fractures. A case report and comparative review of the literature: Bisphosphonate-related? Possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femur
title_short Atypical lumbar pedicle fractures. A case report and comparative review of the literature: Bisphosphonate-related? Possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femur
title_sort atypical lumbar pedicle fractures a case report and comparative review of the literature bisphosphonate related possible matching with diagnostic criteria of atypical fractures of the femur
topic Lumbar fracture
Atypical
Bisphosphonate
Percutaneous fixation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772529424000420
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