Subtrochanteric femoral fractures in patients receiving long-term alendronate therapy: imaging features.
OBJECTIVE
A paradoxical association between long-term alendronate therapy and low-energy subtrochanteric femoral fractures has been recently recognized. A retrospective review of 34 such femoral fractures was performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Subtrochanteric femoral fractures associated with long-term alendronate therapy present with minimal trauma, may be chronic, and when incomplete may be missed. The characteristic imaging features include initial involvement and focal thickening of the lateral cortex, transverse orientation, medial beak, and superior displacement and varus angulation at the fracture site.
Chan
Sarah Shock
SS
Department of Radiology, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York, NY 10009, USA. sarahshockchan@gmail.com
Rosenberg
Zehava Sadka
ZS
Chan
Keith
K
Capeci
Craig
C
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019386:Alendronate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D019386:Alendronate