Traumatic lesions of the triradiate cartilage

Abstract

Traumatic lesions of the triradiate cartilage (TC) are a rare occurrence and at a high risk for premature closure with consequent acetabular dysplasia and subdislocation of the femoral epiphysis. Based on their experience (5 cases: 2 type II and 3 type V according to the Salter-Harris classification system) and on the literature, the authors affirm that the most significant prognostic factors of this acetabular dysplasia are the age of the patient (under 10 years) and the type of lesion (Salter-Harris type V). After emphasizing how difficult it is to make a diagnosis (which is often made later on), the authors take into consideration some traumatic lesions of the pelvis and hip which by means of different mechanisms may influence the TC: fracture of the ilio- and ischio-pubic branches, fracture of the neck and detachment of the proximal epiphysis of the femur, traumatic dislocation of the hip. These lesions are often the only indirect sign of lesion, even severe ones, of the TC, and require accurate diagnostic testing (ultrasonography, CAT, MRI).