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Coccyx fracture

Case contributed by Manish Malik
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Sudden onset of pain in lower back following history of fall onto buttocks. On examination, there was tenderness in the sacral region.

Patient Data

Age: 30 years
Gender: Female

Sacrococcygeal x-rays

x-ray

X-ray lateral view reveals an oblique radiolucency in the anterior part of 1st coccygeal segment suggestive of a fracture.

Case Discussion

Coccyx fractures are rarely diagnosed on pelvic x-rays and, when diagnosed, the treatment is usually conservative 1. Thus, the need of x-ray examination in suspected coccygeal fractures is questioned as it imparts additional radiation exposure to genitalia. In our case, the patient was counseled regarding radiation exposure but they insisted on x-ray examination.

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