Bilateral fractured neck of the femur in an adult patient with cystic fibrosis

Eur J Intern Med. 2003 May;14(3):196-198. doi: 10.1016/s0953-6205(03)00036-0.

Abstract

A 34-year-old man with cystic fibrosis (CF) sustained a bilateral fractured neck of the femur during the course of six grand mal seizures. The fractures were successfully treated with bipolar hemi-arthroplasties. Several risk factors for osteoporosis were present. Bone pathology showed reduced femoral head bone density. Osteoporosis of the lumbar spine was confirmed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. As the life expectancy of patients with CF continues to improve, osteoporosis and its sequelae will become more common. We should be aware of the increased risk of bilateral fractured neck of the femur following epileptic seizure in CF.