Supracondylar femur fracture complicating epileptic insult: a specific and under diagnosed complication?

Acta Neurol Belg. 2008 Mar;108(1):17-20.

Abstract

Purpose: In epileptic patients fractures are six times more frequent than in the general population. Known predisposing factors are anticonvulsant drugs, malnutrition, lack of physical activity and sunlight exposure.

Methods: In this study we describe two patients, one with a bilateral supracondylar fracture and one with a unilateral supracondylar fracture after an epileptic seizure. The literature concerning femur fracture following an epileptic insult is reviewed.

Results: A review of the literature revealed several cases of femur fractures associated with epilepsy, however no cases were found involving a supracondylar femur.

Conclusions: Our hypothesis is that a tonic seizure with simultaneous contraction of both agonists and antagonists can cause this type of fracture in predisposing patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anticonvulsants / adverse effects
  • Cerebral Palsy / complications
  • Cerebral Palsy / microbiology
  • Cerebral Palsy / physiopathology
  • Child
  • Epilepsy / complications*
  • Epilepsy / physiopathology
  • Femur / diagnostic imaging
  • Femur / pathology
  • Femur / physiopathology*
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / etiology*
  • Fractures, Bone / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Knee / diagnostic imaging
  • Knee / pathology
  • Knee / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Muscle Contraction
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology*
  • Osteoporosis / complications
  • Osteoporosis / etiology
  • Osteoporosis / physiopathology
  • Radiography
  • Stress, Mechanical
  • Syndrome
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / etiology
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / physiopathology

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants