Cone-beam computed tomography compared to X-ray in diagnosis of radial fractures

Authors

  • Maja Sulejmanovic
  • Sabina Salkic
  • Svjetlana Mujagic
  • Nihad Mesanovic
  • Belkisa Izic
  • Azur Ikanovic
  • Igor Hudic

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5457/ams.v55i1.874

Keywords:

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), Radiography, Radius Fractures

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine whether radiological measurements of radial fracture position made in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) projection images are comparable to those made on traditional radiographs and could potentially substitute them.

Methods: One hundred patients with fractures of the distal radius referred for radiographs were recruited for an additional CBCT scan which was performed immediately afterwards between  January and December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results: Using plain radiographs compared to CBCT wrist fracture was confirmed in 98 cases and CBCT in 100 cases. Median effective dose of CBCT was as low as 1,41mSv comparated with 0,19mSv for standard radiography. According to fracture localization, conventional radiography diagnosed 54% intra-articular fractures, 5,9% extra-articular, 60% multi-fragmented, 13,9% dislocated, 74,3% distal and scaphoid fractures 6.9%  and CBCT imaging method diagnosed

64,4% intraarticular fractures, 6,9%  extraarticular, 68,3% multifragmented, 19,8% dislocated, 76,2% distal and scaphoid fractures 13,9%. The inter-rater correlation was higher in the CBCT compared to radiography ( p=0,01; p=0,00; p=0,00; p=0,013;p=0,032; p=0,037).

Conclusion: The cone beam imaging method is of great importance as a supplementary method to conventional radiography, which still remains the primary method in diagnosing wrist fractures.

 

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Published

2025-08-29

Issue

Vol. 55 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Original papers

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