Fracture imaging and basics

Question 1

What is the minimum number of angles that are required when X-raying suspected fractures?

Answer 1

2

Question 2

What are some examples of fractures requiring more than 2 angles in X-ray?

Answer 2

Cervical spine (x3)
Scaphoid (x4)

Question 3

What are some features that could be measured in spinal trauma on X-ray?

Answer 3

Vertebral size
Vertebral alignement
Lordosis and kyphosis

Question 4

What is the use of MRI scanning in spinal trauma?

Answer 4

Show ligamentous involvement and damage to spinal cord and discs

Question 5

What is meant by a comminution fracture?

Answer 5

A fracture in which there are more than 2 parts

Question 6

What is meant by an impaction fracture?

Answer 6

A fracture in which the 2 parts are forced together, increasing bone density

Question 7

What is meant by an avulsion fracture?

Answer 7

A fracture in which a tendon pulls off a piece of bone

Question 8

What are some mimics of avulsion fractures on X-ray?

Answer 8

• Sesamoid bones
• Accessory ossification centres
• Old, non-united fractures

Question 9

How do you differentiate between avulsion fractures, and physiological regions of excess bone growth?

Answer 9

The way to discern between these structures is due to the fact that new fractures will not be completely corticated, so the point of bone fragmentation will not have a white outline, whereas the above mentioned mimics wll be completely corticated so will be fully circumscribed by white, cortical bone