Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Case Reports
. 2015 Sep 4;20(1):72.
doi: 10.1186/s40001-015-0167-8.

Fracture of the lesser trochanter as a sign of undiagnosed tumor disease in adults

Affiliations
Case Reports

Fracture of the lesser trochanter as a sign of undiagnosed tumor disease in adults

Christian Herren et al. Eur J Med Res. .

Abstract

Isolated avulsion fractures of the pelvic ring are rare and occur predominantly in adolescent athletes. Isolated fractures of the lesser trochanter are reported to be pathognomic for tumor diseases in adults. We present a case of a female patient with an isolated avulsion of the lesser trochanter after treatment by her chiropractor. After staging examination, we determine the diagnosis of a left-sided carcinoma of the mamma. Additional imaging shows multiple metastases in liver, spine and pelvis. Palliative therapy has started over the course of time. We suggest, on suspicion of a malignant metastatic process, further investigation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figs. 1, 2
Figs. 1, 2
X-ray of the pelvis in AP view shows an isolated lesser trochanteric fracture (see red arrows) beside multiple osteolytic processes of the pelvis
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
CT scan of the right hip and reconstruction in coronary view. The red arrow illustrates the avulsion fracture of the lesser trochanter
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
CT scan of the right trochanter area and reconstruction in axial view. Avulsion fracture of the lesser trochanter (red arrow) and majority of the lesser trochanter is intact (yellow arrow)
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
CT scan of the pelvis. Multiple osseous metastases of pelvis were detected

References

    1. Phillips CD, Pope TL, Jones JE, Keats TE, MacMillan RH. Nontraumatic avulsion of the lesser trochanter: a pathognomonic sign of metastatic disease? Skelet Radiol. 1988;17(2):106–110. doi: 10.1007/BF00365136. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Metzmaker JN, Pappas AM. Avulsion fractures of the pelvis. Am J Sports Med. 1986;14218–14224. - PubMed
    1. Rouvillain JL, Jawahdou R, Labrada Blanco O, Benchikh- El-Fegoun A, Enkaoua E, Uzel M. Isolated lesser trochanter fracture in adults: an early indicator of tumor infiltration. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res. 2011;97(2):217–220. doi: 10.1016/j.otsr.2010.11.005. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Haentjens P, Casteleyn PP, Opdecam P. Evaluation of impending fractures and indications for prophylactic fixation of metastases in long bones. Review of the literature. Acta Orthop Belg. 1993;59(Suppl 1):6–11. - PubMed
    1. James SL, Davies AM. Atraumatic avulsion of the lesser trochanter as an indicator of tumour infiltration. Eu Radiol. 2006;16(2):514. - PubMed

Publication types