title: Impending fracture associated with bone destruction.
abstract: In the patient with metastatic bone disease, destruction of bone threatens the structural support of the skeletal system. Osteoporosis, stress-risers, and the open-section effect result in pain, immobilization, and fractures. The establishment of more clear-cut indications for prophylactic fixation will lessen the morbidity associated with a pathologic fracture.
authors.affiliation: University of Minnesota Hospitals, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed