Postpartal sacral fracture without osteoporosis

Stress fractures of the sacrum during pregnancy or the postpartum seem unco mmon. We report a new case of nontrauma-related postpartal sacral fracture. Only four similar cases have been reported to date. The patient was 36 yea rs of age and her fracture was diagnosed four weeks after her first deliver y. Vitamin D levels were low, but there was no osteomalacia. Other standard laboratory tests were normal, as were absorptiometry measurements at the l umbar spine and femur. Rheumatologists should consider sacral fracture in p regnant or nursing patients with buttock pain. Magnetic resonance imaging i s the diagnostic investigation of choice. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques e t medicales Elsevier SAS.