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A comparison of 3-D CT and 2-D plain radiograph measurements of the wrist in extra-articular malunited fractures of the distal radius.

Authors :
Smees CJ
van Es EM
Tuijthof GJM
Colaris JW
de Graaff F
Vochteloo AJH
Source :
The Journal of hand surgery, European volume [J Hand Surg Eur Vol] 2024 May; Vol. 49 (5), pp. 546-553. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 21.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Two-dimensional (2-D) plain radiographs may be insufficient for the evaluation of distal radial malunion, as it is a three-dimensional (3-D) deformity. This study introduced a 3-D measuring method that outputs radial inclination, ulnar variance, palmar tilt and axial rotation. To this end, a standardized and clearly defined coordinate system was constructed that allowed 3-D measurements closely resembling the conventional 2-D method in 35 patients. Mean differences between 3-D and 2-D measurements in affected wrists were 1.8° for radial inclination, 0.8 mm for ulnar variance and 3.7° for palmar tilt. In addition, inter- and intra-observer reproducibility of all 3-D and 2-D measurements were good or excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient >0.75), with 3-D reproducibility always better than 2-D. Axial rotation was present in all patients with a mean of 7.9° (SD 6.9). Although the differences between 2-D and 3-D measurements were small, 3-D evaluation enables the assessment of axial rotation and brings us closer to a routine 3-D evaluation of malunion. Level of evidence: III.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2043-6289
Volume :
49
Issue :
5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
The Journal of hand surgery, European volume
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
37987680
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/17531934231213790