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CT of fractures

1,476 bytes added, 17:44, 15 January 2019
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|author1=[[User:Mikael Häggström|Mikael Häggström]]
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[[File:CT of a pertrochanteric fracture.jpg|thumb|CT of a hip fracture]]

==Planning==

===Indication in trauma===
[[CT in trauma]] is generally the first choice with suspected sudden physical injury to the head, abdomen and/or pelvis. [[X-ray in trauma]] is generally the first choice for the upper and lower limbs, but CT or [[MRI of fractures]] are possible next steps in remaining fracture suspicion despite a normal X-ray. CT can also better map complicated fracture systems, mainly for pre-operative planning.
{{Further|Trauma#Choice of modality}}

===Settings===
[[Thin slices]]. No need for [[contrast CT]] unless indicated by other suspected conditions.

==Evaluation==
Use a bone window and look for fracture lines through the bone cortex. Rarely, compression fractures are seen as a hhyperdense line:
<gallery>
File:X-ray of subtle compressive hip fracture, labeled.jpg|X-ray showing a suspected compressive subcapital fracture as a radiodense line
File:CT of subtle compressive hip fracture.jpg|CT scan shows the same, atypical for a fracture since the cortex is coherent
File:T1 TSE MRI of hip fracture.jpg|T1-weighted, turbo spin echo, [[MRI]] confirms a fracture, as the surrounding bone marrow has low signal from edema.
</gallery>

Also, use a soft tissue window to look for hematomas or other apparent injuries.

===Misalignment===
{{Fracture misalignment|align=center}}
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