Evolution of bisphosphonate-related atypical fracture retrospectively observed with DXA scanning

We present a case of a 61-year-old female with history of long-term bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis initially diagnosed by screening dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). After 4 years of treatment with bisphosphonates, the patient presented to primary care with left hip pain. Diagnostic hip radiographs were interpreted as normal, and she continued to take bisphosphonates. Two months later, she experienced a complete transverse subtrochanteric left femur fracture after minimal trauma. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Review of the patient's postoperative films revealed lateral subtrochanteric cortical beaking at the fracture. This type of "atypical" fracture has been reported to be a result of chronic bisphosphonate-associated fractures with high specificity. In addition, the right femur also showed cortical beaking with a horizontal linear lucency in an identical location, suggesting an impending fracture. Longitudinal review of the both diagnostic radiographs as well as DXA images shows a stepwise development of these subtrochanteric abnormalities in both femurs. A current hypothesis regarding the pathophysiology of bisphosphonate-associated fracture is that the medication inhibits bone turnover and repair of microscopic trauma. A cycle of defective repair and continual microtrauma compounded over time gradually weakens the bone and creates an architectural conduit for transverse or "atypical" fracture. Standard practice is not to use DXA as a diagnostic "image." We present this case to show that a common location and classic appearance of subtrochanteric bisphosphonate-associated fractures may be clearly visualized on absorptiometry images long before fracture. This observation is important because the majority of patients taking bisphosphonate therapy also receive regular DXA imaging. Because of the chronicity of standard bone-density monitoring for these patients throughout their treatment regimen, DXA may find a role for early detection of cortical abnormalities.