Evaluation of 5 Cases of Pubic Osteolysis

We examined 5 cases of pubic osteolysis. All 5 cases were females ranging from 56 to 81 (average; 68.4) in years of age.A history of trauma was seen only in 1 case. Radiographs showed osteolytic region in the pubic bone of all the women, 3 of whom had pelvic bone fractures. 3 cases had osteopenia, 1 as a result of systemic lupus erythematosus, and the others rheumatoid arthritis. The degree of osteopenia was evaluated using Singh's index. Singh's index in all patients ranged from grade 2 to 3, and 4 patients had vertebral compression fractures. Laboratory studies revealed no remarkable changes. In all cases, the initial complaint of pain around the pelvis gradually subsided with conservative therapy. The results suggest that pubic osteolysis accompanies insufficiency fractures occurring in the pubic bone. A more conservative approach should be adopted for these patients.