The aim of this article is to illustrate imaging findings of both vascular and urological complications in major trauma of the hip, emerged from a single centre experience and literature analysis.

The major trauma is the sixth leading cause of death in the world and the leading cause of death and disability in the population between 5 and 45 years, with an estimated mortality of about 800,000 cases per year in the population in Western countries. Male prevalence is 2.4 times greater than women [1]. Pelvic trauma is generally linked to high-energy trauma and is often associated with other potentially fatal injuries in over 90% of cases, linked in particular to lesions of the vessels. The...

IMAGING TECHNIQUES Hip X-ray : Performed in the emergency room with the patient in supine position. The detection of pelvic ring fractures is one of the priorities in the traumatized patient [Fig. 1], as they are often related to complications that severely affect mortality. Contrast enhanced-CT: CT allows an accurate overall assessment of the thoracic-abdominal and pelvic traumatic lesions. It also highlights occult lesions (not detectable with other imaging techniques), performing a full rachis screening, showing vascular lesions and bleeding in progress and a precise...

Radiological hip assessment in emergency plays a fundamental role in the diagnostic and clinical setting of patient. Radiologists should promptly recognize the radiological signs of vascular and urological complications of hip fractures, to guide the right therapeutic approach.

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