Multiplanar and 3D CT of acetabular fractures.
OBJECTIVE
To establish a standard protocol for the multiplanar (MPR) and 3D shaded surface display (SSD) reconstruction of CT data on acetabular fractures, and to assess the usefulness of these reformats.


METHODS
Acetabular fractures in 15 patients were imaged by means of plain radiographs, transaxial CT, MPR reformats, and SSD reformats.


RESULTS
The classification of the acetabular fracture was revised in 7/15 cases when the transaxial CT images were read after the plain radiographs. Although the MPR and SSD reformats did not alter the classification, they did add to the degree of confidence in the diagnosis in 9/15 cases. In 2 patients, the MPR and SSD reformats indicated operative instead of conservative treatment. In the MPR reformats, the following views were considered essential in all cases: (a) along the anterior column; (b) along the posterior column; and (c) along both columns and the inferior ramus. In the SSD reformats, the following views were considered essential in all cases: (d) the latero-caudal en face view into the acetabulum; and 180 degrees opposite to this, (e) the medio-cranial view (facing the quadrilateral plate). In 10/15 cases, these views were all that was needed for classification. It was, however, essential to remove the femur from the images before reconstructing the SSD views.


CONCLUSIONS
Complex acetabular fractures with displacement should be evaluated by means of transaxial CT and additional MPR and SSD reformats. The use of appropriate standard MPR and SSD views shortens the time required to produce the reformats and thereby maximizes the benefit gained.
Haveri
M
M
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Finland.
Junila
J
J
Suramo
I
I
Lähde
S
S
D000077:Acetabulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*