Skip to main content
Log in

Occult acetabulum fracture. A case report

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Emergency Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Acetabular fractures that are radiographically occult are associated with insufficiency fractures, stress fractures, and fractures secondary to steroid-induced osteoporosis, usually affecting older patients after low-energy trauma. Occult acetabulum fractures in young patients are extremely rare. We discuss herein a case of an occult acetabulum fracture after high-energy trauma, in a young patient. This case illustrates the need for further diagnostic studies such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or bone scanning when, despite negative radiographic findings, groin pain is persistent.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Liebergall M, Mosheiff R, Goldvirt Matan Y et al (1999) Acetabular fractures: clinical outcome of surgical treatment. Clin Orthop 366:205–216

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Borrelli J Jr, Koval KJ, Helfet DL (1998) Pelvis and acetabulum. In: Koval KJ, Zuckerman JD (eds) Fractures in the elderly. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, pp 159–174

    Google Scholar 

  3. Borrelli J, Goldfarb C, Catalano L, Evanoff B (2002) Assessment of articular fragment displacement in acetabular fractures: a comparison of computerized tomography and plain radiographs. J Orthop Trauma 16(7):449–456

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Rommens PM, Hessmann MH, Gercek E (2002) An unexpected pelvic and acetabular fracture. Osteo Trauma Care 10:50–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Otte MT, Helms CA, Fritz RC (1997) MR imaging of supra-acetabular insufficiency fractures. Skeletal Radiol 26:279–283

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Pollet V, Bellemans M, Damry N et al (1999) Stress fracture of the acetabular roof. Case report and value of MRI. Acta Orthop Belg 65:517–520

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Schachter A, Roberts C, Seligson D (2003) Occult bilateral acetabular fractures associated with high-energy trauma and osteoporosis. J Orthop Trauma 17(5):386–389

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Mandelbaum BR, Gagid D, Fishman FK et al (1987) Multiplanar computed tomography: a multidimensional tool for evaluation and treatment of acetabular fractures. J Comput Assist Tomogr 11:167–173

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. White MSI (1991) Three-dimensional computed tomography in the assessment of fractures of the acetabulum. Injury 22:13–19

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Stevens SCC, Male TA, Turner JH (1999) Pelvic fractures diagnosed by bone scintigraphy in patients with normal radiographs after a fall. Med J Aust 171:476–478

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to George Mouzopoulos.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mouzopoulos, G., Lasanianos, N., Mouzopoulos, D. et al. Occult acetabulum fracture. A case report. Emerg Radiol 15, 437–439 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-007-0694-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-007-0694-x

Keywords

Navigation