title: Three-dimensional osseous micro-architecture of the distal humerus: implications for internal fixation of osteoporotic fracture.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study is to analyze 3-dimensional structural parameters of cortical and trabecular bone in the distal humerus using quantitative CT and to find regional variations and differences according to age.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected 14 cadaveric distal humeri with an average age of 58.4 years. The specimens were examined at 3 different levels: 1) distal trans-epicondylar section, 2) mid trans-olecranon fossa section, and 3) proximal supra-olecranon fossa section.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the distal section, bone volume was the greatest in the anterior part of the lateral condyle and the least in the posterior part of the lateral condyle. Cortical thickness in the distal section was the thickest in the posterior medial and the thinnest in the anterior aspect followed by lateral aspect. The changes in cortical thickness with aging were obvious in the posterior side and trabecular bone on the medial condyle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study evaluated the differences in cortical and trabecular bone parameters in each different region of the distal humerus. We found a potential weakness of plate fixation in the posterolateral aspect of the distal condyle because of relative insufficient osseous micro-architecture, which may affect the treatment of osteoporotic distal humerus fractures especially in elderly patients.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Daegu University, Daegu, Korea.
authors: So Hyun
authors: SH
authors: Park
authors: Sung Jung
authors: SJ
authors: Kim
authors: Byun Chul
authors: BC
authors: Park
authors: Kyung Jin
authors: KJ
authors: Suh
authors: Jee Young
authors: JY
authors: Lee
authors: Chun Woo
authors: CW
authors: Park
authors: Im Hee
authors: IH
authors: Shin
authors: In-Ho
authors: IH
authors: Jeon
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015519:Bone Density; D002102:Cadaver; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006811:Humerus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed