title: Fracture of the femoral neck, the risk of serious underlying pathology.
abstract: Between 1997 and 2003, a total of 2223 patients presented to our hospital with the neck of femur fracture. This retrospective study examines the histological results of 90 patients (4%) suspected of having a fracture associated with serious underlying pathology. The mean age at the time of fracture was 80 years (44-97). The patients were divided into four groups. Group I: 34 patients with fracture without history of fall or trauma. Group II: 21 patients with suspicious lesions on the standard pelvic radiograph taken on admission. Group III: 27 patients with past history of malignancy without known bone metastases. Group IV: 8 patients with past history of malignancy and known bone metastases. None of the patients in groups I and II had significant abnormalities other than osteoporosis. Four patients (15%) in group III and six patients (75%) in group IV had metastases on histological examination. It is concluded that only groups III and IV are likely to have fractures due to metastatic disease.
authors.affiliation: Selly Oak Hospital and Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Bristol road South, Northfield, Birmingham B31 2AP, UK.
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Ramisetty
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Pynsent
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abudu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005265:Femoral Neck Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005266:Femoral Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies