J Korean Fract Soc.  2005 Apr;18(2):160-164. 10.12671/jkfs.2005.18.2.160.

Comparison between X-ray and Three Dimensional Computed Tomography in Trimalleolar Ankle Fractures

• Song SJ
• Yoon HK
• Shin DE
• Han SH
• Kim JH
• Park HK
• Han YS

• KMID: 2035983
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2005.18.2.160

Abstract

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of X-ray evaluation in classification, displacement and size of posterior malleolar fragment, comparing with three dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) in trimallelar ankle fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
20 cases of trimalleolar ankle fractures evaluated with preoperative 3D CT, and followed up periods were at least 2 years. All cases were classified according to the Danis-Weber and Lauge-Hansen classification. Displacement and size of posterior malleolar fragment were measured using PACS. The reliability between simple X-ray and 3D CT was evaluated in the Danis-Weber and Lauge-Hansen classification (kappa analysis). The correlation between simple X-ray and 3D CT was evaluated in displacement and size of posterior malleolar fragment (correlation analysis).
RESULTS
Degree of agreement of Danis-Weber classification in simple X-ray and 3D CT was 0.700 kappa value, and that of Lauge-Hansen was 0.605 kappa value. Measurement of simple X-ray and 3D CT about displaced status of posterior malleolar fragment showed statistically significant positive linear correlation (p= 0.000), but correlation of measurement of size in simple X-ray and CT was not statistically significant (p=0.102).
CONCLUSION
CT or operative field will be more accurate than simple X-ray to select the method of treatment and operation, especially when the displacement and size of posterior malleolar fragment are important to decide.

Keyword

Ankle; Trimalleolar fracture; Simple X-ray; Computed tomography

MeSH Terms

Ankle
Ankle Fractures*
Classification