Pathological Fractures in Rare Bone Diseases: Clinical Cases
Case studies
Vanna Bottai
University of Pisa image/svg+xml
Federico Di Sacco
University of Pisa image/svg+xml
Martina Cordoni
University of Pisa image/svg+xml
Vittoria Bettarini
University of Pisa image/svg+xml
Luca Orsetti
University of Pisa image/svg+xml
Paolo Domenico Parchi
University of Pisa image/svg+xml
Lorenzo Andreani
Published 2026-07-22
https://doi.org/10.15388/Amed.2026.33.1.17
PDF
HTML

Keywords

pathological bone fractures
Alkaptonuria
Gorham-Stout
primary hyperparathyroidism
rare bone diseases

How to Cite

1.
Bottai V, Di Sacco F, Cordoni M, et al. Pathological Fractures in Rare Bone Diseases: Clinical Cases. AML. 2026;33(1):190-203. doi:10.15388/Amed.2026.33.1.17

Abstract

Rare bone diseases, though uncommon, present significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to their clinical variability and overlapping symptoms with more prevalent conditions. This article describes a clinical case series of three patients with bone fragility fractures caused by rare bone diseases – primary hyperparathyroidism with brown tumor, Gorham-Stout disease, and alkaptonuria – treated at the Department of Orthopedic and Traumatology of Pisa University Hospital between 2018 and 2023. Each case highlights the diagnostic complexities, including inconclusive biopsies, nonspecific imaging findings, and the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach for accurate diagnosis and management. Advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI, CT, and PET, alongside genetic and biochemical analyses, were instrumental in guiding treatment. The cases underscore the importance of early differential diagnosis, which is critical for optimizing both surgical and non-surgical interventions, preventing long-term complications, and improving the patient outcomes. This study emphasizes the need for a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to effectively diagnose and manage rare bone diseases, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate care.

PDF
HTML

Author contributions (CRediT)

  • Vanna Bottai: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Visualization
  • Federico Di Sacco: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing
  • Martina Cordoni: Conceptualization, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing, Visualization
  • Vittoria Bettarini: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Visualization
  • Luca Orsetti: Conceptualization, Investigation, Visualization, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing
  • Paolo Domenico Parchi: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Visualization
  • Lorenzo Andreani: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal Analysis, Investigation, Visualization

References

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Most read articles by the same author(s)