Aim: Insufficiency fractures of the pelvis are a well known but rare and fr
equently misinterpreted radiation sequela. The clinical features and possib
le risk factors were investigated.
Patients and Methods: 71 of living 82 patients, who were treated 1986-1994
for gynecologic tumors were clinically examined. 47 patients underwent also
bone scan, CT of the pelvis and 13 patients had osteodensitometry. ALL pat
ients had been treated with adjuvant (n = 29) or curative intent (n = 18) b
y d.v. fields with 18-MV photons, with 46 Gy in 23 fractions plus brachythe
rapy (15-39 Gy). Median follow-up was 36 months.
Results: Seven patients developed pelvic insufficiency fractures 11 months
(median, minimum 2 months) after treatment. ALL patients complained of mode
rate to severe pelvic pain, which resolved after 5-28 months without specif
ic therapy in five of seven patients. At first examination all but one bone
scan showed extremely increased uptake in the os sacrum and/or iliosacral
joints, correlating CT scans demonstrated small fractures and bony destruct
ion. Four of the asymptomatic 40 patients with complete radiologic examinat
ions had medium uptake in bone scan (CT normal). Three of four examined pat
ients with insufficiency fractures and seven of nine patients without insuf
ficiency fractures had osteoporosis.
Conclusion: In women who present with pelvic pain after radiotherapy for gy
necologic tumors bony destruction and fractures may be indicative of a late
radiation effect rather than ossseous metastasis, even after early onset o
f symptoms.