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CT mapping of tibial plateau fractures shows major fracture characteristics
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With the use of CT mapping of tibial plateau fractures, investigators of this study identified recurrent fracture line patterns and noted four different fracture characteristics, according to study results.
“The four major features of tibial plateau fractures observed in the current study may help to improve observer agreement in clinical studies and may be useful in daily practice as an augmentation to classification systems,” the authors wrote.
Researchers retrospectively analyzed the CT scans of 127 tibial plateau fractures. Major fracture patterns and comminution were identified with the fracture map, on which fracture lines and comminution zones were graphically superimposed onto an axial template of an intact subarticular tibial plateau. The fracture map was divided into a lateral fracture map, medial fracture map and bicondylar fracture map.
There were six Schatzker type I fractures, 48 type II fractures, 10 type III fractures, 26 type V fractures and 22 type VI fractures. Schatzker type IV fractures were categorized as unicondylar. Coronal fragments are more medially located compared with laterally located, with 78% of the fragment surface originally from the medial plateau. Comminution of the medial side of the plateau does not appear in the Schatzker type-V fractures and type-VI fractures.
According to the tibial plateau fracture maps, 75% of fractures had a lateral split fragment with or without comminution, 43% were posteromedial fragments, 16% were anterior tibial tubercle fragments and 28% had a comminution zone that included the tibial spine. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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