Purpose
Fracture and dislocations of the ankle and subtalar joint represent one of the most challenging topics in skeletal traumatic emergencies:several studies have shown the potential of Multi-Deterctor Computed Tomography in the identification and better evaluation of these features and in the surgical planning.
Our purpose was to compare the role of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography versus conventional radiography in the assessment of fracture dislocation of the ankle and of subtalar joint.
Methods and Materials
We performed a retrospective study evaluating 14 traumatic injuries of the ankle and of subtalar joint in first time with conventional radiography and then with Multi-Detector Computed Tomography.
In all cases we used the same 64-slices CT scanner.
All patients arrived in the emergency room for traumatic dislocation of the ankle.
Results
In 7 patients,
we have found lateral dislocation of tibio-talar joint with fracture of the anterior portion of the talus,
vertical fracture of the lateral malleolus and fracture of the anterior portion of the calcaneus.
In 3 patients with medial dislocation of tibio-talar joint we found decomposed fracture of talus and calcaneus.
In 4 patients with dislocation of subtalar joint,
we found,
in 3 of them,
dislocation of talo – navicular joint with scaphoid fracture and fracture of the head of the astragalus; in one...
Conclusion
In polytrauma patients with fractures-dislocations of ankle and subtalar joint the Multi-Detector Computed Tomography,
compared to conventional radiology ,has a high sensitivity and specificity in the determination of the type of fracture and in the relationship between the fragments.
Multi-Detector Computed Tomography represents the imaging of first choice.
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MDCT versus digital radiography in the evaluation...