Who is more accurate in the diagnosis of neck of femur fractures, radiologists or orthopaedic trainees?

Objective

Our study aims to compare the sensitivity and specificity between orthopaedic trainees and radiologists in diagnosing occult hip fractures from pelvic radiographs.

Methods

All patients undergoing computed tomography (CT) of the hip for a suspected occult hip fracture at our two centres between November 1, 2010 and October 31, 2011 were retrospectively identified. Two orthopaedic trainees (RJ and ED) independently reviewed the initial radiographs, and if both agreed a fracture was present this was recorded. The reports from the radiologist of the initial radiograph and subsequent CT were recorded, with the CT report used as the standard of reference for comparison of performance.

Results

239 CTs were performed for suspected neck of femur fractures during the study period, compared to only 20 in 2006–07, reflecting a 1,095 % increase. The interpretation of radiographs by the orthopaedic trainees showed a sensitivity of 55.4 % and specificity of 96.6 %. In comparison, the radiologists had a sensitivity of 60.7 % and specificity of 92.9 %; this difference was shown not to be statistically significant. Radiologists and orthopaedic trainees agreed when interpreting the majority of radiographs with a Kappa co-efficient of 0.77 (a statistical measure of inter-rater agreement). In 20 of the 174 cases (11.5 %) where the radiologist and orthopaedic trainees agreed no fracture was present, the subsequent CT revealed a fracture.

Conclusion

Orthopaedic trainees and radiologists have similar accuracy at interpreting pelvic radiographs for suspected hip fractures, so the trainee’s opinion can be relied upon. If uncertainty exists, then either the orthopaedic trainee or radiologist should request further imaging urgently as we believe this will expedite diagnosis and treatment of hip fractures, and ensure judicious use of CT.     

Digital X-ray radiogrammetry of hand or wrist radiographs can predict hip fracture risk—a study in 5,420 women and 2,837 men

Objectives

To assess whether digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) analysis of standard clinical hand or wrist radiographs obtained at emergency hospitals can predict hip fracture risk.

Methods

A total of 45,538 radiographs depicting the left hand were gathered from three emergency hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden. Radiographs with insufficiently included metacarpal bone, fractures in measurement regions, foreign material or unacceptable positioning were manually excluded. A total of 18,824 radiographs from 15,072 patients were analysed with DXR, yielding a calculated BMD equivalent (DXR-BMD). Patients were matched with the national death and inpatient registers. Inclusion criteria were age ≥ 40 years, no prior hip fracture and observation time > 7 days. Hip fractures were identified via ICD-10 codes. Age-adjusted hazard ratio per standard deviation (HR/SD) was calculated using Cox regression.

Results

8,257 patients (65.6 % female, 34.4 % male) met the inclusion criteria. One hundred twenty-two patients suffered a hip fracture after their radiograph. The fracture group had a significantly lower DXR-BMD than the non-fracture group when adjusted for age. The HR/SD for hip fracture was 2.52 and 2.08 in women and men respectively. The area under the curve was 0.89 in women and 0.84 in men.

Conclusions

DXR analysis of wrist and hand radiographs obtained at emergency hospitals predicts hip fracture risk in women and men.

Key Points

? Digital X-ray radiogrammetry of emergency hand/wrist radiographs predicts hip fracture risk. ? Digital X-ray radiogrammetry (DXR) predicts hip fracture risk in both women and men. ? Osteoporosis can potentially be identified in patients with suspected wrist fractures. ? DXR can potentially be used for selective osteoporosis screening.     

Epiphyseal stress fractures of finger phalanges in adolescent climbing athletes: a 3.0-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging evaluation

Objectives

To study the value of 3.0-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging for baseline and follow-up assessment of epiphyseal finger phalanx stress fractures in a collective of 7 consecutive adolescent climbing athletes.

Materials and methods

Baseline MRI was performed in 8 fingers of 7 adolescent athletes (mean age 13.8 years, female:male?=?2:5) with clinically suspected stress fracture of the fingers acquired during climbing sports. Follow-up MRI was performed after functional therapy with training interruption for 6 weeks (n?=?6) and 12 weeks (n?=?1). Images were analysed retrospectively and independently by two readers using an MRI grading score from 0 (no pathology) to 4 (bone marrow oedema and clear depiction of a sharp fracture line with surrounding inflammatory soft tissue reaction).

Results

A total of 8 baseline and 7 follow-up MRIs were analysed. In 7 out of 8 fingers a stress fracture line Salter–Harris III and in all fingers a bone marrow oedema were diagnosed at the epiphyseal base of the middle phalanx. The average grading score was 3.37 in the initial MRI and 1.43 in the follow-up MRI indicating fracture healing in all fingers. Kappa value for interobserver variability was 0.86, representing almost perfect interobserver agreement.

Conclusions

3-T MRI is a promising diagnostic technique for baseline assessment of epiphyseal finger phalanx stress fractures and for follow-up evaluation of fracture healing.     

Automatic detection of osteoporotic vertebral fractures in routine thoracic and abdominal MDCT

Objectives

To develop a prototype algorithm for automatic spine segmentation in MDCT images and use it to automatically detect osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

Methods

Cross-sectional routine thoracic and abdominal MDCT images of 71 patients including 8 males and 9 females with 25 osteoporotic vertebral fractures and longitudinal MDCT images of 9 patients with 18 incidental fractures in the follow-up MDCT were retrospectively selected. The spine segmentation algorithm localised and identified the vertebrae T5-L5. Each vertebra was automatically segmented by using corresponding vertebra surface shape models that were adapted to the original images. Anterior, middle, and posterior height of each vertebra was automatically determined; the anterior-posterior ratio (APR) and middle-posterior ratio (MPR) were computed. As the gold standard, radiologists graded vertebral fractures from T5 to L5 according to the Genant classification in consensus.

Results

Using ROC analysis to differentiate vertebrae without versus with prevalent fracture, AUC values of 0.84 and 0.83 were obtained for APR and MPR, respectively (p?<?0.001). Longitudinal changes in APR and MPR were significantly different between vertebrae without versus with incidental fracture (ΔAPR: -8.5 %?±?8.6 % versus -1.6 %?±?4.2 %, p?=?0.002; ΔMPR: -11.4 %?±?7.7 % versus -1.2 %?±?1.6 %, p?<?0.001).

Conclusions

This prototype algorithm may support radiologists in reporting currently underdiagnosed osteoporotic vertebral fractures so that appropriate therapy can be initiated.

Key points

? This spine segmentation algorithm automatically localised, identified, and segmented the vertebrae in MDCT images. ? Osteoporotic vertebral fractures could be automatically detected using this prototype algorithm. ? The prototype algorithm helps radiologists to report underdiagnosed osteoporotic vertebral fractures.     

MDCT findings after elbow dislocation: a retrospective study of 140 patients

Objective

To assess the number and anatomical location of fractures associated with elbow dislocation, to study the correlation between the direction of dislocation and the trauma energy, and to assess radiographs’ diagnostic performance characteristics for fractures using MDCT as a reference standard.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was performed at a level 1 trauma center, finding a total of 140 patients who had sustained an elbow dislocation and who had undergone a subsequent MDCT examination. The CT and radiographs of the patient were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists. CT images were analyzed for the site and size of the fracture fragments. In addition, the primary direction of the dislocation, patients’ age, and gender were recorded. Trauma energy was also assessed.

Results

One hundred and thirty-four out of 140 patients (96 %) had a fracture that was seen on the correlative CT examination. The most common anatomical fracture locations were the coronoid process of the ulna 84 out of 140 (60 %), the radial head 75 out of 140 (54 %), and the humeral capitellum 57 out of 140 (41 %). Multiple fractures were seen in 71 out of 134 (53 %) patients with fractures. The left elbow was more commonly dislocated than the right one. The overall sensitivity of the radiographs was 62 % and the specificity 96 %.

Conclusion

Small fractures and impaction fractures are almost invariably present in elbow dislocations, and half of the patients have more than one fracture. Radiographs have a sensitivity of only 62 %. MDCT is an invaluable method for determining the extent of bony injury and revealing occult fractures.     

Prediction of hip osteoporotic fractures from composite indices of femoral neck strength

Objective

To clarify whether composite hip strength indices improve predictive ability for hip osteoporotic fractures independent of conventional bone mineral density (BMD).

Subjects and methods

Three hundred and eighty-two health controls and 43 women with hip fractures (aged 28.2–87.7 years, mean age 59.5±9.2 years) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry for femoral neck bone mineral density (FN_BMD) and proximal femur geometry parameters of hip, and composite hip strength indices (Compression strength index, Bending strength index, and Impact strength index). The association between the studied parameters and the fractures was modelled using multiple logistic regression, including age, height, weight, and menopausal status. Fracture-predicted probability was calculated for each predictor tested. ROC curve areas (AUCs) were calculated for the fracture status, having the calculated fracture-predicted probability as a test variable. AUCs were compared by the Hanley–McNeil test.

Results

Women with hip fractures had lower FN_BMD, composite hip strength indices, and longer hip axis length than controls, and no significant difference in femoral neck width. Logistic regression showed composite hip strength indices could predict hip fractures risk. To the same extent as FN BMD, Compression Strength Index (CSI) best predicted the risk for each fracture (AUC?=?0.787?±?0.028). When CSI was added to FN_BMD, there was a small but not statistically significant increase in AUC to 0.796?±?0.027 (P?=?0.9018).

Conclusion

Composite indices of femoral neck strength may be valuable in the assessment of the biomechanics of bone fragility; however, they do not appear to add diagnostic value to the simple measurement of BMD.     

Radiographic classification for fractures of the fifth metatarsal base

Objective

Avulsion fractures of the fifth metatarsal base (MTB5) are common fore foot injuries. Based on a radiomorphometric analysis reflecting the risk for a secondary displacement, a new classification was developed.

Materials and methods

A cohort of 95 healthy, sportive, and young patients (age?≤?50 years) with avulsion fractures of the MTB5 was included in the study and divided into groups with non-displaced, primary-displaced, and secondary-displaced fractures. Radiomorphometric data obtained using standard oblique and dorso-plantar views were analyzed in association with secondary displacement. Based on this, a classification was developed and checked for reproducibility.

Results

Fractures with a longer distance between the lateral edge of the styloid process and the lateral fracture step-off and fractures with a more medial joint entry of the fracture line at the MTB5 are at higher risk to displace secondarily. Based on these findings, all fractures were divided into three types: type I with a fracture entry in the lateral third; type II in the middle third; and type III in the medial third of the MTB5. Additionally, the three types were subdivided into an A-type with a fracture displacement <2 mm and a B-type with a fracture displacement?≥?2 mm. A substantial level of interobserver agreement was found in the assignment of all 95 fractures to the six fracture types (κ?=?0.72). The secondary displacement of fractures was confirmed by all examiners in 100 %.

Conclusions

Radiomorphometric data may identify fractures at risk for secondary displacement of the MTB5. Based on this, a reliable classification was developed.     

Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance arthrography of the hip is dependent on specialist training of the radiologist

Objective

Significant differences between magnetic resonance imaging reports and intraoperative findings at the time of hip arthroscopy were documented in our practice. We sought to examine the accuracy of radiological reporting of hip pathology based on the training level of the reporting radiologist.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of hip arthroscopies carried out between July 2008 and June 2009 identified 61 cases where original MRI scans had been reported by general community radiologists. These scans were then reviewed by musculoskeletal specialist radiologists who were blinded to both the original report and the surgical findings. Accuracy of both subsets of radiologists was compared to arthroscopic findings with regard to labral, acetabular, femoral and impingement lesions.

Results

Musculoskeletal radiologists performed better than community radiologists in terms of overall accuracy. Accuracy rates for MSK radiologists were 85, 79, 59, and 82% for labral, acetabular chondrosis, and femoral chondrosis and impingement lesions, respectively. Whereas accuracy rates for community radiologists were 70, 28, 52, and 59% (p values?=?0.08, <0.001, 0.59, <0.001). Accuracy was significantly improved for both groups of radiologists when MR arthrograms were reviewed rather than conventional MRIs.

Conclusions

This study establishes the relationship between accuracy of reporting and the training level of the performing radiologists.     

Successful fixation of Mason type 2 radial head fractures using Meniscus Arrows

Purpose

Previous experience has revealed excellent outcomes when using the Meniscus Arrow (Conmed Linvatec Ltd., Tampere, Finland) bioabsorable meniscal repair system for the fixation of small fracture fragments. This study describes the results of the fixation of Mason type 2 radial head fractures with these Arrows in a prospective series of 21 patients.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2010, a total of 21 patients were treated with Meniscus Arrows for the fixation of Mason type 2 fractures of the radial head during an open procedure. Twenty-one, twenty and seventeen patients were followed up at 2 and 6 post-operative weeks, 18 weeks and 24 months, respectively. Radiographs were obtained during follow-up visits, and range of motion was classified according to the Weseley classification.

Results

At 24 post-operative months, 88 % of patients showed ‘excellent’ and 12 % showed ‘good’ results in terms of extension. All patients (100 %) showed ‘excellent’ results for flexion, supination and pronation. Uneventful healing of the fracture was observed in all patients. No complications were noted.

Conclusion

This study shows promising outcomes for the use of Meniscus Arrows as fixation devices in the treatment for Mason type 2 fractures of the radial head.

Level of evidence

Prospective therapeutic study, Level IV.     

Analysis of mandibular condylar and glenoid fossa fractures with computed tomography

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of glenoid fossa and condylar fractures in patients with mandibular fractures using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Methods

A prospective study was performed in 227 patients with mandibular fractures who underwent 64-MDCT. Mandibular fractures were classified into four types: median, paramedian, angle and condylar. Statistical analysis of the relationship between prevalence of condylar fractures and mandibular fracture locations was performed using χ² test with Fisher’s exact test. A P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The prevalence of condylar fracture was 64.8 % of all patients with mandibular fractures, 66.7 % of median type (P?=?0.667), 45.5 % of paramedian type (P?=?0.001) and 12.3 % of angle type (P?=?0.000), respectively. Furthermore, glenoid fossa fracture was seen in 1.4 % of patients with condylar fractures.

Conclusions

The results of the presented study suggest focusing also on incidental findings such as glenoid fossa fractures.

Key Points

? The prevalence of condylar fracture was 64.8 % in patients with mandibular fractures. ? Glenoid fossa fracture was seen in 1.4 % of patients with condylar fractures. ? The study suggests a focus on incidental findings such as glenoid fossa fractures.     

Computed tomography for occult fractures of the proximal femur,pelvis, and sacrum in clinical practice: single institution,dual-site experience

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CT for assessment of occult fractures of the proximal femur, pelvis, and sacrum.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review was performed on patients who received a CT of the hip or pelvis for suspected occult fracture after negative or equivocal radiographs performed within 24 h. The official radiology report was utilized for the determination of CT findings and calculation of sensitivity and specificity. Surgical reports, MRI reports, and clinical follow-up were used as the standard of reference. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

Seventy-four patients received CT of the hip or pelvis for clinical concern for occult fracture after negative or equivocal radiographs. By the reference standard, a total of 40 fractures were present in 25/74 (33.8%) patients, including 35 conservatively treated fractures of the greater trochanter, pelvis, and sacrum, and 5 operatively treated proximal femoral fractures. A total of 14/74 (18.9%) of patients had an MRI within 1 day of CT. MRI identified an operatively treated femoral neck fracture not seen on CT and an operatively treated intertrochanteric fracture, which CT described as a greater trochanteric fracture. There were two false negative conservatively treated pelvic fractures not seen on CT but diagnosed on MRI. On a per-patient basis, CT had an overall sensitivity of 88% (22/25; 95% confidence intervals 69–97%), specificity of 98% (48/49; 95% confidence intervals 89–100%), and negative predictive value of 94%. For the five operative proximal femoral fractures, the sensitivity of CT was 60% (3/5; 95% confidence intervals 15–95%), specificity was 99% (68/69; 95% confidence intervals 92–100%), and negative predictive value was 97%.

Conclusions

In the clinical setting of suspected occult fracture, the sensitivity of clinical CT reports for detection of any type of fracture of the proximal femur, pelvis, or sacrum was 88%. For the small number of operatively treated proximal femoral fractures seen in the study, sensitivity of CT was 60% (3/5) and negative predictive value was 97%, although the relatively few patients needing fixation precludes statistical analysis.

     

Treatment for ischial tuberosity avulsion fractures in adolescent athletes

Purpose

Avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity are rare sports injuries typically occurring in young athletes. Their misdiagnosis may lead to chronic pain or disability. The aim of this study is to report a retrospective series of patients sustaining a fracture of the ischial tuberosity and to propose decision guidelines.

Methods

The mechanism of accident, the diagnostic management, the mode of treatment and outcome after avulsion fractures of the ischial tuberosity in adolescents were analysed.

Results

Thirteen patients (1 female and 12 males) with a median age of 15 years (range 13–16 years) with an avulsion fracture of the ischial tuberosity were included. Twelve of these patients suffered from sports injuries leading to the avulsion fracture. Five of our patients with a displacement of >15 mm were treated operatively. The outcome was excellent in cases of acute presentation and osteosynthesis. Eight patients were treated conservatively: four of them showed a displacement of <15 mm and had an excellent outcome; and the other four patients had a displacement of >15 mm. Two of those patients had excellent outcome with regular bone healing, the remaining two patients developed pseudarthrosis associated with a good outcome.

Conclusion

The present paper shows that in patients with displacement of <15 mm, conservative treatment yields excellent results and early operative intervention should be considered in physically active patients with displacement of >15 mm.

Level of evidence

IV.     

Percutaneous osteosynthesis in the pelvis in cancer patients

Purpose

Screw fixation (osteosynthesis) can be performed percutaneously by interventional radiologists. We report our experience in cancer patients.

Material/methods

We retrospectively reviewed all cases of percutaneous osteosynthesis (PO) of the pelvic ring and proximal femur performed in our hospital. PO were performed for fracture palliation or for osteolytic metastases consolidation. Screws were inserted under CT- or cone-beam CT- guidance and general anaesthesia. Patients were followed-up with pelvic-CT and medical consultation at 1 month, then every 3 months. For fractures, the goal was pain palliation and for osteolytic metastases, pathologic fracture prevention.

Results

Between February 2010 and August 2014, 64 cancer patients were treated with PO. Twenty-one patients had PO alone for 33 painful fractures (13 bone-insufficiency, 20 pathologic fractures). The pain was significantly improved at 1 month (VAS score?=?20/100 vs. 80/100). In addition, 43 cancer patients were preventively consolidated using PO plus cementoplasty for 45 impending pathologic fractures (10 iliac crests, 35 proximal femurs). For the iliac crests, no fracture occurred (median-FU?=?75 days). For the proximal femurs, 2 pathological fractures occurred (fracture rate?=?5.7 %, median-FU?=?205 days).

Conclusion

PO is a new tool in the therapeutic arsenal of interventional radiologists for bone pain management.

Key Points

? Screw fixation (osteosynthesis) can be performed percutaneously by interventional radiologists. ? CT- or CBCT-guidance results in high technical success rates for screw placement. ? This minimally invasive technique avoids extensive surgical exposure in bone cancer patients. ? Osteosynthesis provides pain relief for bone-insufficiency fractures and for pathologic fractures. ? Osteosynthesis plus cementoplasty provide prophylactic consolidation of impending pathological fractures.

     

Radiographic prevalence of CAM-type femoroacetabular impingement after open reduction and internal fixation of femoral neck fractures

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to estimate the radiographic prevalence of CAM-type femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) in elderly patients (≥50 years) who have undergone internal fixation for femoral neck fracture.

Methods

A total of 187 frog-leg lateral radiographs of elderly patients who underwent internal fixation for a femoral neck fracture were reviewed by two independent reviewers. The alpha angle, beta angle, and femoral head–neck offset ratio were calculated. The presence of two abnormal radiographic parameters was deemed to be diagnostic of radiographic CAM-type impingement.

Results

Radiographic CAM-type FAI was identified in 157 out of 187 (84 %) patients who underwent internal fixation for fractures of the femoral neck. Moderate-to-good inter-observer reliability was achieved in the measurement of radiographic parameters. With reference to fracture subtypes and prevalence of radiographic features of CAM-type morphology, 97 (72 %) out of 134 patients were positive for CAM in Garden subtypes I and II, whereas 49 (85.9 %) out of 57 patients had radiographic CAM in Garden III and IV subtypes.

Conclusion

There was a high prevalence of CAM-type FAI in patients that underwent surgical fixation of femoral neck fractures. This is significantly higher than the reported prevalence in non-fracture patient populations. The high prevalence of CAM morphology could be related to several factors, including age, fracture morphology, quality of reduction, type of fixation, and fracture healing.

Level of evidence

IV.     

MRI screening for silicone breast implant rupture: accuracy,inter- and intraobserver variability using explantation results as reference standard

Objectives

The recall of Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP) silicone breast implants in 2010 resulted in large numbers of asymptomatic women with implants who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) screening. This study’s aim was to assess the accuracy and interobserver variability of MRI screening in the detection of rupture and extracapsular silicone leakage.

Methods

A prospective study included 107 women with 214 PIP implants who underwent explantation preceded by MRI. In 2013, two radiologists blinded for previous MRI findings or outcome at surgery, independently re-evaluated all MRI examinations. A structured protocol described the MRI findings. The ex vivo findings served as reference standard.

Results

In 208 of the 214 explanted prostheses, radiologists agreed independently about the condition of the implants. In five of the six cases they disagreed (2.6 %), but subsequently reached consensus. A sensitivity of 93 %, specificity of 93 %, positive predictive value of 77 % and negative predictive value of 98 % was found. The interobserver agreement was excellent (kappa value of 0.92).

Conclusions

MRI has a high accuracy in diagnosing rupture in silicone breast implants. Considering the high kappa value of interobserver agreement, MRI appears to be a consistent diagnostic test. A simple, uniform classification, may improve communication between radiologist and plastic surgeon.

Key points

? MRI has a high accuracy in diagnosing rupture in silicone breast implants. ? MRI appears to be a consistent diagnostic test with excellent interobserver agreement. ? A simple, uniform classification system, improves communication between radiologist and plastic surgeon. ? The interobserver agreement on implant rupture is higher than on extracapsular leakage.     

Association of femoral head and acetabular fractures on computerized tomography: correlation with the Judet-Letournel classification

Purpose

Tha aims of this study were to identify the incidence of femoral head fractures in the setting of acetabular fractures and to determine the relationship between acetabular fracture pattern, the degree of acetabular fracture displacement, and the incidence of femoral head fractures.

Materials and methods

This is a retrospective cross-sectional study of 274 patients with 300 acetabular fractures diagnosed on pelvic CT. Acetabular fractures were categorized using the Judet-Letournel classification system.

Results

Femoral head fractures were present in 18.0% of acetabular fractures. Fracture patterns with a posterior wall component had a very high (56.3%) incidence of femoral head fracture. Anterior column and anterior column with posterior hemitransverse fractures have a very low (3.4%) incidence of femoral head fracture. Anterior hip dislocation had a 66.7% incidence of femoral head fracture, while posterior dislocation had a 71.9% incidence. Acetabular fractures displaced by more than 5 mm had a 26.9% incidence of femoral head fracture, while acetabular fracture displaced less than 5 mm had only 4.2% incidence of femoral head fracture.

Conclusion

Femoral head fractures are a very common associated finding in patients presenting with acetabular fractures. In patients with a posterior wall component of the fracture or associated hip dislocation, a femoral head fracture is more likely than not present. Conversely, in acetabular fractures with less than 5 mm displacement or anterior column fractures without posterior acetabular involvement, femoral head fractures are very unlikely in the absence of a dislocation event.

     

Distracting injury defined: does an isolated hip fracture constitute a distracting injury for clearance of the cervical spine?

Objectives

As the population within the USA ages, the number of hip fractures seen yearly in the emergency department is expected to rise. According to the NEXUS criteria, many of these patients receive computerized tomographic scan (CT) evaluation of the cervical spine because a hip fracture may constitute a distracting injury. The objective of this study is to determine if an isolated hip fracture constitutes a distracting injury which requires imaging of the cervical spine.

Methods

Data were prospectively collected on 158 trauma patients with isolated hip fractures between April 1, 2015 and March 9, 2016. Patient demographics were analyzed and compared to the National Emergency X-Radiography Utilization Study (NEXUS).

Results

Patients with isolated hip fractures were predominantly elderly, on average 78.6 +/? 15.9 years old, and 94.3% of these injuries occurred after a fall from standing. Only one patient also had a cervical spine fracture which was not clinically significant. When compared to the established rate of cervical spine injury of 2.4%, the absolute risk reduction (ARR) was 0.35% (95% CI, ? 1.06 to 1.75%) and the number needed to treat (NNT) was 290.

Conclusion

In the case of an elderly patient with an isolated hip fracture and no cervical midline tenderness, cervical spine imaging may be reserved for those who have other NEXUS criteria for further workup.