Concurrent femoral neck fractures following pelvic irradiation: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Fracture of the neck of the femur is common in older people. It often occurs in a single hip, with osteoporosis being the most common cause. Sometimes this fracture may also occur following pelvic irradiation, though this is not common. To the best of our knowledge, we present the first reported case in Nigeria of concurrent bilateral fractures of the femoral neck following pelvic irradiation.

Case presentation: A 74-year-old Nigerian woman presented at our surgical outpatients department with a 5-month history of pain in both hips and a 4-month history of inability to walk. She had had pelvic irradiation for carcinoma of the cervix 2 years earlier. Pelvic radiographs confirmed bilateral subcapital neck fractures.

Conclusion: Patients with hip pain who have been treated with pelvic irradiation should be thoroughly investigated for hip fractures.

Figure 1

Pre-operative antero-posterior radiograph.

Figure 2

Pelvic radiograph after left hip hemiarthroplasty.

Figure 3

Pelvic radiograph after bilateral hip hemiarthroplasty.