title: Recurrent atraumatic metatarsal, rib and sacral insufficiency fractures in a woman with the antiphospholipid syndrome.
abstract: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is characterised by recurrent arterial and/or venous thromboses and recurrent late miscarriages in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies, and can be a hugely debilitating disorder. While the commonest thrombotic manifestations of this condition such as deep vein thrombosis and stroke are well documented, there has been increasing recognition of numerous less common complications in most organ systems. We present a female patient with APS and a lupus-like illness who had atraumatic sacral fractures as well as multiple spontaneous fractures affecting her ribs and the metatarsals in both her feet.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Worthing Hospital, Worthing, UK.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Villiers
authors.forename: Munther
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khamashta
authors.forename: Alastair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hepburn
mesh_terms: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid / Q000276:immunology; D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing; D015775:Fractures, Stress / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D017152:Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; D005938:Glucocorticoids