Treatment of a Metastasis of a Rectal Carcinoma in the Greater Trochanter with the AO/ASIF Proximal Femoral Nail. A case report

Abstract

A 48-year-old patient was referred to our department because of a solitary metastasis of a rectal carcinoma, localized in the left greater trochanter. Since the risk of pathological fracture was higher than acceptable for radiation therapy alone and because of the young age of the patient, radical debulking and reconstruction using the AO/ASIF Proximal Femoral Nail and cement augmentation was performed.

Solitary bone metastases of colorectal adenocarcinomata are rare, as discussed. The prognosis of a primary colorectal carcinoma in the presence of a bone metastasis, even a solitary one, is poor. In patients with these metastases with poor overall prognosis, the treatment objectives, which we could define as ‘safe, short and simple’ are stringent, although there most certainly remains an indication for palliative surgery.

Key Words:

• Bone metastasis
• colorectal carcinoma
• palliative surgery.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. J. B. Nijs

Dr. stefaan Nijs U.Z. Gasthuisberg Dpt. of Traumatology Herestraat 49 B-3000 Leuven Tel.: + 32 16 34 46 66 Fax: + 32 16 34 46 14 E-mail: [email protected]