Insufficient bilateral femoral subtrochanteric fractures in a patient receiving imatinib mesylate.
We present a case of insufficient bilateral femoral subtrochanteric fractures in a patient who was treated with imatinib mesylate, an anticancer drug, for 1 year after a diagnosis of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). A 60-year-old woman presented with bilateral thigh pain for 6 months. A plain radiograph revealed bilateral progressive insufficient fractures on the subtrochanteric areas of the femurs. MRI of the femurs revealed incomplete stress fractures and no evidence of bone metastasis on either femur. Bone densitometry showed normal T-scores around the hip joint and spine. The patient had normal serum levels of calcium, vitamin D derivatives, and thyroid hormones. Serum phosphate levels were decreased, and parathyroid hormone levels were increased. Serum osteocalcin and urinary N-telopeptide of collagen cross-links (NTx) were both decreased. A bone biopsy demonstrated normocellular marrow without leukemic cells. A histomorphometric evaluation of her bones revealed reduced bone turnover despite secondary hyperparathyroidism. The serum markers for bone metabolism and histomorphometric evaluations in this patient suggest that the drug may have an effect on bone metabolism. These effects could be seen for both bone formation and resorption: this could result in impaired bone mineralization, a severely suppressed bone turnover rate, insufficient fractures, and bone necrosis, which are sometimes seen with long-term use of bisphosphonates. To our knowledge, this is the first case of an insufficient bilateral femoral shaft fracture that is potentially related to the use of imatinib mesylate in a patient with CML. Careful examination of bone metabolism should be performed in patients with CML because imatinib mesylate treatment is a lifelong process.
Yang
Kyu-Hyun
KH
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yonsei Univerisity, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Si-Young
SY
Park
Sang-Won
SW
Lee
Soon-Hyuck
SH
Han
Seung-Beom
SB
Jung
Woong-Kyo
WK
Kim
Suk-Jin
SJ
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001549:Benzamides; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005264:Femoral Fractures / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006962:Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D017674:Hypophosphatemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate; D015466:Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010879:Piperazines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011859:Radiography
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001549:Benzamides; D010879:Piperazines; D011743:Pyrimidines; D000068877:Imatinib Mesylate