A Toddler with Bilateral Fractures of the Fibula

Stress fractures are uncommon, and bilateral stress fractures are rare. The diagnosis of stress fracture can be difficult as conventional radiographs usually show evidence of the fracture repair instead of the fracture. A stress fracture must be differentiated from more serious processes, particularly osteomyelitis and bone malignancies. In young children there may be no obvious cause, and imaging can greatly facilitate the diagnosis. We present a case of a toddler referred for evaluation for a possible bone malignancy but who was diagnosed with bilateral fibular stress fractures. Only one case of bilateral fibular stress fracture has been described in a toddler. However, unlike this case, our patient lacked an apparent explanation for the injury.