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Pathologic Fracture in Childhood: Benign or Malignant?
Sahira Desai1, Vindhya N Reddy2, Latha Ganti3
1Wake Forest University.
Orthopedic Reviews
|August 27, 2025
Summary
Pathologic fractures occur in weakened bones, even from minor trauma. Prompt diagnosis is crucial, as this pediatric case highlights, because underlying conditions like bone tumors may be present.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Pediatric Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pathologic fractures result from bone weakening due to disease.
- Minor trauma can cause fractures in weakened bone areas.
- Early detection is vital for managing serious underlying conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of pathologic fracture in a child.
- To highlight the importance of diagnosing underlying bone lesions.
- To emphasize the potential link between pathologic fractures and bone tumors.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an 8-year-old boy with lower extremity injury.
- Diagnostic imaging to identify bone lesion.
- Clinical evaluation to rule out other pathologies.
Main Results:
- A pathologic fracture of the right lower extremity was diagnosed.
- Imaging revealed a non-aggressive, multicystic bone lesion.
- The patient was otherwise healthy, with no prior significant medical history.
Conclusions:
- Pathologic fractures in children warrant thorough investigation.
- Multicystic bone lesions can lead to fractures.
- Timely diagnosis is essential to rule out or manage malignant bone tumors.
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