Longitudinal stress fractures are an uncommon injury in which a diaphyseal fracture line occurs parallel to the long axis
of a bone in the absence of direct trauma. They have been described in the tibia and less commonly in the femur but apparently
not in the upper limb. We report a longitudinal stress fracture occurring in the humerus of a 62-year-old woman who had a
history of osteoporosis and had undergone recent surgery of the contralateral wrist. We present the radiographic, MRI, and
CT features of the case and emphasize the difficulties in diagnosis caused by negative findings on early radiographs and by
nonspecific bone marrow edema pattern on MRI. The risk of a contralateral upper extremity stress fracture from activities
of daily living in a patient with osteoporosis whose other upper extremity is immobilized also is highlighted.
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Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the reporting of this case report and that all investigations
were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.