title: Pathological fracture complicating epidural local anaesthetic opioid infusion for cancer pain.
abstract: Two cases of severe bone pains from metastatic cancer, without clinical or radiological evidence of fractures on admission, are presented. Pain control and mobilization were achieved initially with local anaesthetic-opioid epidural infusion. Subsequent loss of analgesia prompted a re-examination, which revealed pathological fractures of the femur. Internal fixation of the fractures resulted in good control such that strong opioids were no longer required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Amanor-Boadu
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Jack
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005266:Femoral Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D011859:Radiography