Case report
Metastatic breast carcinoma of the coracoid process: two case reports
- † Equal contributors
1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation, Division of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery, MSC10 - 5600, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
2 University of Western Ontario, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Hand and Upper Limb Centre, St. Joseph's Health Centre, 268 Grosvenor St, London, ON N6A 4V2, Canada
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 2010, 5:22 doi:10.1186/1749-799X-5-22
Published: 26 March 2010Abstract
Background
The coracoid process of the scapula is a rare site of involvement for metastatic disease or for primary tumors. We are unaware of any reports in the literature of pathologic coracoid process fractures and only one report of metastatic disease to the coracoid.
Methods and Results
In this case report, we present two cases with metastatic breast carcinoma of the coracoid process, one of which presented with a pathologic fracture of the coracoid.
Conclusions
An orthopaedic surgeon must be aware of the potential for metastatic disease to the coracoid as they may be the first medical provider to encounter evidence of malignant disease.
