[Diagnosis of intra-articular fracture of the head of the tibia. A prospective comparative study].

Complete visualization of the joint surface is essential for correct assessment of tibial head fractures. Conventional tomography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are compared in this prospective study. We examined 27 patients (19 suffering from B fractures and 8 from C fractures) from 1 January 1995 to 11 November 1998. Conventional tomography underestimated the fractures in 3 of the 19 cases of B fractures. Computed tomography underestimated two of these cases. MRI could not exactly depict the essential structures in three of the eight cases of C fractures because of edema and effusions. MRI identified complete cruciate ligament rupture in 6 of the 27 cases (18%) and 10 meniscal ruptures in 9 cases (33%: 6 medial meniscus, 4 lateral meniscus). Complete ruptures of the lateral collateral ligament were detected in five cases and medial collateral ligament ruptures in two cases. According to this, 63% of the patients suffered from relevant accompanying soft tissue injuries. The rate of soft tissue injuries increased up to 92% including the partial collateral ligament ruptures. Local hospital conditions permitting, X-ray-loaded conventional tomography should no longer be used in tibial head fractures. X-ray-free MRI is most efficient in cases of B fractures, which can in most cases be treated with a minimum of invasive techniques. Computed tomography is to be used in cases of C fractures that are regularly managed by open surgery accompanied by direct visualization of the inside of the knee joint.