Classification of chance fracture in children using magnetic resonance imaging.
METHODS
MRI study of pediatric Chance fracture.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate bone and soft tissue lesions in pediatric Chance fracture.


BACKGROUND
Several descriptions and classifications have been already developed for Chance fracture, but mainly for adult. Furthermore, they are all based only on radiographic studies.


METHODS
MRI and radiographs of 18 children with Chance fracture were analyzed before treatment.


RESULTS
On MRI, in all cases, no abnormal signs were noted on the intervertebral disc. Six patients had a bone fracture going through the pedicle and the vertebral body. Twelve patients had a physeal injury located on the superior or on the inferior vertebral endplate. Three types of lesions could be identified according to the location of the lesion in relation to the pedicle.


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is useful in the diagnosis of pediatric Chance fracture. It allows physeal injury to be clearly identified from disc injury.
de Gauzy
Jérôme Sales
JS
Service d'Orthopédie Pédiatrique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France. salesdegauzy.j@chu-toulouse.fr
Jouve
Jean-Luc
JL
Violas
Philippe
P
Guillaume
Jean-Marc
JM
Coutié
Anne-Sophie
AS
Chaumoitre
Kathia
K
Launay
Franck
F
Bollini
Gérard
G
Cahuzac
Jean-Philippe
JP
Accadbled
Franck
F
D000293:Adolescent; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000145:classification* / Q000175:diagnosis*