OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical value of MDCT and MRI in the diagnosis and treatment of complex fractures of tibial plateau.

METHODSFrom March 2004 to January 2009,71 patients with complex fractures of tibial plateau estimated Schatzker III, V and VI were included in the study. Their X-ray films, MDCT, MRI were analyzed and compared. Twenty-four patients (14 males and 10 females with a mean age of 33.6 years) were treated with double incision and single plate. Average follow-up period was 31.4 months. Twenty-one patients (12 males and 9 females with a mean age of 33.2 years) were treated with double incision and bilateral plates. Average follow-up period was 28.4 months. Twenty-six patients (17 males and 9 females with a mean age of 35.3 years) were treated with bilateral plates via genicular anterior midline incision. Average follow-up period was 28.4 months. The index such as diagnosis correction for fracture location, fracture comminuted degree,fracture displacement degree,bone defect degree,and positive ration for number of collapsed joint surface,injuries of cruciate ligament, collateral ligament and menisci of knee joint.

RESULTSThe satisfaction score of X-ray flims, MDCT and MRI were (1.04 +/- 0.20), (1.82 +/- 0.38) and (1.12 +/- 0.33) separately for fracture positions; (0.81 +/- 0.51), (1.92 +/- 0.26) and (0.83 +/- 0.60) separately for fractures comminuted degree; (1.23 +/- 0.48), (1.92 +/- 0.26) and (0.46 +/- 0.58) separately for fracture displacement degree; (0.36 +/- 0.51), (1.55 +/- 0.79) and (0.26 +/- 0.53) separately for bone defect; the number of patients having collapse of tibial articular surface were 6,61 and 12 separately; the number of patients having cruciate ligaments were 3,10 and 17 separately; the number of patients having menisci injuries were 0,0 and 6 separately;the number of patients having collateral ligament injuries were 1, 1 and 8 separately. MDCT was the most sensitive method in the diagnosis of tibial articular surface collapse,avulsion tibial fracture at the point of cruciate ligament,fracture comminuted degree and fracture displacement degree (P < 0.01). MRI was the most sensitive method in the diagnosis of injuries of cruciate ligament, collateral ligament, menisci, the cartilage peeling of articular surface (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONMDCT and MRI further detail the Schatzker classification based on X-ray films, which also conduce to make precise diagnosis and reasonable treatments. MDCT and MRI are more sensitive for the diagnosis of insidious damages around knee.