Pathologic Fractures: What the Radiologist Needs to Know

A pathologic fracture is a fracture of an abnormal bone weakened by an underlying disease, thus it requires careful assessment. Pathologic fractures may occur in benign lesions, primary and secondary malignancies, and a variety of metabolic disorders. A nontraumatic fracture, a fracture with minor trauma, and multiple contiguous fractures suggest a pathologic nature. In these cases of pathologic fractures, evaluation by advanced imaging modalities, including CT, MRI, and PET-CT, often reveals more significant findings. Accurately identifying and characterizing pathologic fractures on imaging are paramount for guiding proper treatment and reducing potential complications.
Source: Contemporary Diagnostic Radiology - Category: Radiology Tags: ARTICLE Source Type: research