title: CT of preoperative and postoperative acetabular fractures revisited.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We compared preoperative and postoperative computed tomography (CT) versus radiographic imaging in the evaluation of acetabular fractures (AFs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-four patients who underwent imaging for AFs were retrospectively evaluated. Postoperative reduction quality was assessed on radiographs and CT scan by 2 observers. Rate of reintervention was noted. Radiation exposure from CT was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After reduction, 24 patients had significant findings on postoperative CT. Five patients required reintervention, all of whom had significant postoperative CT findings and complex fractures. Notably, only 1 of the 5 patients had an indication for reintervention based on radiographs alone.The average dose for preoperative/postoperative CT study was 11.5/12.3 mSv, respectively, with a cumulative average dose of 23.8 mSv.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although reoperation rate is low after fixation of AFs, CT is required to identify those requiring reintervention. However, postoperative CT should be used judicially, only in patients presenting with complex acetabular fractures.
authors.affiliation: From the *Department of Medical Imaging, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; and †Radiology State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY.
authors.forename: Diana N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Jaskolka
authors.forename: Gina A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Di Primio
authors.forename: Adnan M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sheikh
authors.forename: Mark E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Schweitzer
mesh_terms: D000077:Acetabulum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011184:Postoperative Period; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011379:Prognosis; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult