title: Quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography measurement of distal humerus fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure the average number, size, shape and articular surface area of articular fracture fragments of the distal humerus using quantitative analysis of 3-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) images.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight computed tomography scans of distal humerus fractures were analyzed with quantitative 3DCT (Q3DCT). Twenty-one patients had a capitellum and trochlea fracture, and 27 patients had bicolumnar fractures of the distal humerus. The volume and articular surface area of each articular fracture fragment were measured. A small fragment was defined of having a volume of less than 500 mm(3) or an articular surface of less than 500 mm(2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bicolumnar fractures have a mean of 9.3 fragments, 5.4 small fragments, and 3.7 articular fragments per fracture. Trochlea and capitellum fractures have a mean of 3.6 fragments, 1.5 small fragments, and 2.3 articular fragments per fracture. For each fracture type, the number of small fragments correlated with the total number of fragments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Columnar fractures had more articular fragments and more small fragments than trochlea and capitellum fractures.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Kim M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brouwer
authors.forename: Annelies
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bolmers
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ring
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D057072:Intra-Articular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D000092464:Elbow Injuries