[Benign tumors that cause fractures in children]

A pathological fracture is defined as that which occurs through an abnormal bone. Approximately 20,000 benign neoplasms of the musculoskeletal system are diagnosed each year. Often the pain of the fracture is the first symptom of a pathological process in the bone. The site, age and radiographic appearance create a differential diagnosis for pathological fractures that remains broad. The clinical examination evaluates the condition of the skin, palpating any tissue mass and determining if there are local inflammatory signs such as erythema, heat or edema. The biopsy is highly recommended to confirm the diagnosis of a pathological fracture.

To determine which benign bone tumors and pseudotumoral lesions produce fractures in childrens bones more frequently in our institution.

Cross-sectional retrospective study, review of records of patients with diagnosis of pathological fracture, attended in the period from March 2013 to March 2017, were reviewed. Results: The benign tumors that caused fractures in previously damaged areas were: aneurysmal bone cyst 13, enchondroma 5, osteoid osteoma 3, giant cell tumor 2.

At our institution, aneurysmal bone cysts were the benign tumors that most frequently produce pathological fractures in children, with predominance in males.