MR imaging of occult fractures
- VernacularTitle:隐性骨折的MRI分析
- Author:
Shinong PAN
;
Zhaoyu LIU
;
Zhenhua WU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Fracture;
Magnetic resonance imaging;
Diagnosis, differential
- From:
Chinese Journal of Radiology
2000;0(11):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the value of MR imaging in detecting occult fractures. Methods Sixteen cases with acute trauma were studied using radiography and MR imaging, three cases also underwent CT examinations. Three fractures occurred in the femur condyle, 8 in the proximal tibia and 5 in the thoracolumbar spine. Results All sixteen cases had normal radiographic results. In 11 cases with femur condyle and tibia occult fracture, MR imaging demonstrated linear low signal in the subcortical region in 3 cases and irregular low signal from articular faces to shaft in 8 cases on both T 1WI and T 2WI, and high signal changes around low signal were seen on T 2WI, and the width of low signal was less than 4 mm on both T 1WI and T 2WI. The high signal in T 1 weighted-Fat saturated sequence was more remarkable and wider than that on T 2WI. 3 cases with CT scanning showed no fracture signs. In five cases with thoracolumbar vertebral occlut fractures, MR imaging demonstrated horizontal linear low signal in the center of vertebra on both T 1WI and T 2WI, and high signal changes around low signal were seen on T 2WI. Conclusions MR imaging could early determine the diagnosis of occult fractures. MRI should be the next examination of choice when plain films fail to reveal suspected fractures in the setting of suggestive symptoms and positive physical examination.
