Atypical slipped capital femoral epiphysis after radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Abstract

Atypical slipped capital femoral epiphysis after radiotherapy and chemotherapy is uncommon. Only 32 cases have been reported in the literature. Because patients may have slippage at atypical ages, we report two cases of slipped capital femoral epiphysis in children and review the 32 cases previously reported to heighten clinicians' awareness of this condition in patients who have received radiation and chemotherapy for pelvic tumors. The controversy over prophylactic pinning of the uninvolved hip in radiotherapy-associated slipped capital femoral epiphysis is unresolved. It may be justifiable to fix the nonslipped epiphysis if possible prodromal signs of abnormal radiographic findings are detected. Because radiotherapy and chemotherapy were used in the two children reported, it is not possible to state whether one or both forms of treatment were responsible for the atypical slipped capital femoral epiphysis.