+++
Case 12-1: Osteogenesis imperfecta
++
A 7-year-old fell from a low height while playing on monkey bars. The patient was complaining of low back pain. The patient had a history of three previous fractures: a tibial fracture, distal femur fracture, and a metatarsal fracture. Blue sclera had been noted in past physical examinations, but no formal diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta had been made.
++++
++
The patient had focal tenderness to palpation of the lower thoracic and upper lumbar spine with no deformity noted. Neurologic examination revealed intact sensation and motor function to the lower extremities. Of note, the sclera had a bluish tinge.
++
++
X-ray with lateral view of the lumbar spine revealed compression fractures to T12, L1, and L2. The patient’s pain was managed with analgesics.
++
The patient was admitted to the hospital. The fractures were thought to be stable, and the patient was fitted with a TLSO brace. The patient was then referred to an outside institution for genetic testing and counseling for osteogenesis imperfecta.
++
The patient had a history of three fractures following relatively minor injuries, and now presented with vertebral compression fractures at 7 years of age. Blue sclera, coupled with the fracture history, makes the clinical diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta likely.
There are other diseases that can lead to multiple fractures in children, including child abuse, rickets, osteomalacia, and numerous other skeletal syndromes causing bone fragility.
+
Forlino
A, Marini
JC. Osteogenesis imperfecta [Review].
Lancet. 2016;387(10028):1657–1671.
[PubMed: 26542481]
+
Harrington
J, Sochett
E, Howard
A. Update on the evaluation and treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta [review].
Pediatr Clin North Am. 2014;61(6):1243–1257.
[PubMed: 25439022]
+
Korula
S, Titmuss
AT, Biggin
A, Munns
CF. A practical approach to children with recurrent fractures [review].
Endocr Dev. 2015;28:210–225.
[PubMed: 26138844]
+++
Case 12-2: Osteopoikilosis
++
A young patient presented with lower leg trauma.
++
++
There was focal tenderness to palpation of the anterior lower tibia associated with mild swelling but without skin abnormalities or bony deformity.