[CT rendering and mechanical analysis for rib fracture inextricable on X-ray chest film in legal medical practice].
OBJECTIVE
To explore an approach of CT rendering and mechanical analysis for rib fracture that was inextricable on X-ray film in legal medical practice.


METHODS
17 cases with rib fracture undetermined on X-ray chest film in legal medical practice underwent CT scans. The thin slices (0.75 mm or lmm) of images were reconstructed with smooth and sharp kernel. The multiplanar reformatted images along rib and surface shaded display were obtained to investigate rib fracture.


RESULTS
All rib fractures were accurately displayed by CT scan and MPR images along rib. The torque that caused rib fracture was divided presumably into vertical and rotary types. The two kinds of rib fracture, composed of vertical and rotary type, were proposed.


CONCLUSIONS
CT scan with thin slice and MPR images can definitely reveal the rib fracture unresolved on X-ray film in legal medical practice. The proposition of two kinds of torque will be help avoid misunderstanding acute rotary type of rib fracture as old healed one.
Xu
Lei-ming
LM
Depatment of Radiology, 2nd Hospital Attached to Zhejiang University Medical School, Hangzhou 310009, China. hsuleiming80@hotmail.com
Xie
Xing-fu
XF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014962:X-Ray Film