[High rate of sacral fractures in elderly patients presenting pubic rami fractures].
BACKGROUND
Pubic rami fractures are common in the elderly, resulting from low energy traumatic falls. The recovery of some of these patients may be disproportionately slow.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the characteristics of older patients admitted with pubic rami fractures and possible associated pelvic fractures.


METHODS
We have prospectively examined nineteen consecutive female patients admitted from the emergency ward with a diagnosis of pubic rami fractures, during a one-year period. Patients underwent bone scans and pelvis computerized tomography.


RESULTS
Six of these patients had associated sacral fractures as demonstrated by pelvic CT scan. None of these sacral fractures was diagnosed on admission to the emergency ward.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a considerable high rate of association of combined pubic and sacral fractures. Greater awareness of this clinical condition is required.
Adunsky
Abraham
A
Depts. of Geriatric Medicine, Institute of Imaging, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer.
Kleinbaum
Yerucham
Y
Levi
Rami
R
Arad
Marina
M
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D010384:Pelvic Bones / Q000293:injuries*; D011630:Pubic Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies