[kkmmtt]

compression fracture

by kkmmtt on Sun Jun 17, 2012 12:59 pm

hi everyone!

I am a 30 year old male. A month ago, i had a compression fracture without any trauma.

This is what the X Ray indicates:
"wedging of the L1 vertebral body. No bonny destructive lesion is seen. The pedicles are intact. The soft tissues are normal"

My question is that what does this really mean? Is there any chance that this fracture is caused by cancer?

really appreciated for any response !

[terryl1]

Re: compression fracture

by terryl1 on Sun Jun 17, 2012 1:12 pm

The fact that it says no bony lesions (i.e. osteolytic lesions caused by myeloma) is a good sign but discuss this with a doctor. He can order several blood tests which will tell alot. Good luck.

[lys2012]

Re: compression fracture

by lys2012 on Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:43 am

Have you ever had a bone density test? That may be a good place to start. Any family history of osteoporosis?

[kkmmtt]

Re: compression fracture

by kkmmtt on Mon Jun 18, 2012 9:00 pm

Thanks for the replies !
i had done dexa bone scan, and the score is -1.40 for T score, -1.40 for z score. The density is low, but it is not that low to have a fracture on its own.

[Christina]

Re: compression fracture

by Christina on Tue Jun 19, 2012 11:22 am

When I had my compression fracture, itwasnt even xrayed for 6 months, as I was told it was a muscle strain. Then seeking some physical therapy, an xray was done, compression fracture. No real reason, and no cancer was seen by the radiologist. Then 1 year later, seeking out kyphoplasty ( sp)), the plasmacytoma was there and it all began. So, my point is, don't let it go, get blood tests etc, until you are absolutely sure it is nor multiple myeloma. I too had a dexa scan, and at that time it was normal so.... Keep at my GP was pretty uninformed and he should have seen some red flags that an otherwise very healthy person, would have a compression fracture, for no real reason. I could have been diagnosed 1 1/2 years earlier.

[kkmmtt]

Re: compression fracture

by kkmmtt on Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:06 am

Christina, i am sorry about your situation. I had my blood test done few days ago, and i had MRI today. Still waiting for the result.

[Dr. Peter Voorhees]

Re: compression fracture

by Dr. Peter Voorhees on Thu Jun 21, 2012 7:34 am

Dear kkmmtt,

A spontaneous compression fracture at the age of 30 is not normal, but it does not necessarily indicate cancer. There are endocrine disorders that can lead to premature thinning of bone and susceptibility to compression fractures. It definitely needs to be worked up further. MRI of the spine will be useful. Appropriate blood work to screen for certain conditions (hyperparathyroidism, myeloma, etc) would seem indicated here. If there is no evidence of cancer, an endocrinologist who specializes in bone disorders would be the next best step.

Good luck and let us know of the results of your MRI!

Pete

[kkmmtt]

Re: compression fracture

by kkmmtt on Tue Jun 26, 2012 10:56 pm

Thanks Dr. Peter Voorhees !
I am still waiting for the results of my blood test and mri. I have the routine blood test results from 2 months ago. It shows that my calcium level is 10.0, and Alkaline Phosphatase is 59. Are these telling anything?

[kkmmtt]

Re: compression fracture

by kkmmtt on Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:53 pm

I just got the blood test result today.
My Vitamin D is only 8.7 (deficiency)
My calcium level in blood goes up to 10.9 (it went from 10.0 to 10.9 within 2 months)

Tumor marker
alpha fetoprotein: 2.38
How is possible that my Vitamin D level is low, but my calcium in blood is high? I have not seen the doctor yet.

[Dr. Ken Shain]

Re: compression fracture

by Dr. Ken Shain on Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:50 am

Labs need to be put in perspective. With current Vitamin D testing- levels are notoriously low -even here in FL where we get plenty of sun.

Calcium being elevated (our labs 10.2 is the upper limit of normal at least here, but may be normal in specific labs) by itself does not tell you much. I would continue on the path your physician suggests. Myeloma is very rare in individuals of your age. And as Dr. Voorhees pointed out endocrine abnormalities can lead to osteopenia/osteoporosis and electrolyte abnormalities. If your Creatinine, total protein, and globulin (or total protein to globulin ratio) are elevated your MD may want to consider a plasma cell dyscrasia in his/her work-up of your case (SPEP-IFE, UPEP-IFE, Igs, SFLC to start). Again, rare but not unheard of in 30 year olds.

DId you get a kyphoplasty and a biopsy at the time?

Please keep us updated and Good luck.