Traumatic bilateral quadriceps tendon rupture.

Department of Orthopedics, Esbjerg County Hospital, 80 Østergade, Esbjerg 6700, Denmark.

Bilateral spontaneous quadriceps tendon rupture is a very rare event, with only an estimated 40 cases reported in the literature. We report a case of bilateral spontaneous quadriceps tendon rupture and review the literature. The reviewed literature recommends early repair; therefore, early diagnosis is crucial. Reportedly, up to 50% of spontaneous bilateral quadriceps ruptures are misdiagnosed at first, resulting in poorer outcome. As spontaneous bilateral quadriceps rupture has previously been reported in association with chronic disease, with, to date, one-third of cases reported to show this association, routine laboratory screening for rheumatologic, endocrine, and renal disease is recommended for all presenting patients. We also briefly discuss the need for antithrombotic prophylaxis, as our patient died, suddenly with the clinical symptoms of a pulmonary embolism, 7 days after surgery and immobilization.

PMID: 11484107 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]