Quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography measurement of distal humerus fractures

PurposeTo 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 methodsForty-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 mm3 or an articular surface of less than 500 mm2.ResultsBicolumnar 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.ConclusionColumnar fractures had more articular fragments and more small fragments than trochlea and capitellum fractures.