Trauma Imaging of Lower Limb Flashcards
what is used to show complex features of a fracture if X ray isn’t enough?
CT
MRI or US if soft tissue
why is a lower limb fracture more dangerous than upper limb?
higher risks dehydration and starvation DVT and PE pneumonia much higher death rate, esp if elderly
limitations of X rays?
overlapping of anatomical structures (not in CT)
some fractures invisible if either not shown or not displaced
doesn’t show soft tissue injury
how can limitations of X ray be overcome?
CT
not affected by these limitations as its cross sectional
MRI gives info about bone marrow so can show un displaced fracture, can also show deep soft tissues
US can show superficial soft tissues
why are fractures visible?
as the gap is filled with haematoma so is less dense than bone on X ray
common fracture appearences?
fine lucency across normal bone
displacement
impacted sclerotic bone
where is impacted fracture common?
tibial plateau fracture
calcaneal fracture
hip?
what is the typical presentation of pelvic ring injury?
young people
RTA or fall from a height
usually multiple (affect more than one site - SI joints, pubic symphysis)
how is high energy pelvic injury imaged?
X ray if only site of injury
CT if multiple sites or to get more detail of pelvic injury
who gets low energy pelvic ring injury?
elderly patients with osteoporosis
due to minor fall or insidious onset
imaging for low energy pelvic ring injury?
MRI > CT > X ray
usually multiple injuries
what causes pelvic soft tissue injury?
sports injury
usually, acutely, due to muscle tear or tendon avulsion
chronic overuse
common pelvic dislocation story?
RTA
contact sports where hip is flexed
typically posterior with acetabular rim fracture
imaging for pelvic/hip dislocation?
CT
classification of proximal femoral fractures?
intracapsular
extracapsular
intracapsular fractures?
interfere with blood supply to femoral head
prone to femoral head AVN or non-union
how is an intracapsular proximal femoral fracture treated?
hemiarthroplasty
unless undisplaced or young patient when reduction and screw fixation may be tried
how is proximal femoral fractures imaged?
can be invisible on X ray so if high suspicion
- repeat X ray after 10 days
- immediate MRI