Quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography measurement of distal humerus fractures

Abstract

Purpose: To measure the average number, size, shape and articular surface area of articular fracture fragments of the distal humerus using quantitative analysis of 3-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) images.

Materials and methods: Forty-eight computed tomography scans of distal humerus fractures were analyzed with quantitative 3DCT (Q3DCT). Twenty-one patients had a capitellum and trochlea fracture, and 27 patients had bicolumnar fractures of the distal humerus. The volume and articular surface area of each articular fracture fragment were measured. A small fragment was defined of having a volume of less than 500 mm(3) or an articular surface of less than 500 mm(2).

Results: Bicolumnar fractures have a mean of 9.3 fragments, 5.4 small fragments, and 3.7 articular fragments per fracture. Trochlea and capitellum fractures have a mean of 3.6 fragments, 1.5 small fragments, and 2.3 articular fragments per fracture. For each fracture type, the number of small fragments correlated with the total number of fragments.

Conclusion: Columnar fractures had more articular fragments and more small fragments than trochlea and capitellum fractures.