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Erschienen in: Skeletal Radiology 3/2016

01.03.2016 | Scientific Article

Targeted computerised tomography scanning of the ankle syndesmosis with low dose radiation exposure

verfasst von: Rahul Kotwal, Narendra Rath, Vishal Paringe, Sandeep Hemmadi, Rhys Thomas, Kath Lyons

Erschienen in: Skeletal Radiology | Ausgabe 3/2016

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Abstract

Objectives

To devise a new protocol for targeted CT scanning of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis with minimal radiation exposure to patients. We also aimed to correlate the reduction of the syndesmosis as seen on CT scans with the functional outcome of patients.

Materials and methods

Prospective study. Forty adults undergoing surgical stabilisation of an acute distal tibiofibular syndesmosis injury were recruited. A targeted five-cut computerised tomography scan protocol was developed. The radiation exposure to the patient with this protocol was only 0.002 mSv. Scans were performed 12 weeks after surgery. The contralateral ankle of every patient was used as a control to determine the accuracy of the reduction of the syndesmosis for that individual patient. American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were obtained at a minimum of 1 year after surgery.

Results

After considering the exclusions, 36 patients formed the study group. A wide variation was observed in the anatomy of the normal syndesmosis. If we considered a difference of more than 2 mm between the normal and injured syndesmosis relationship as significant, 15 (41.6 %) of our patients had a significant difference between the injured and normal sides. AOFAS scores were available for 13 of these patients and were good to excellent in 11(84.6 %).

Conclusion

Our study describes a reliable new CT scanning technique for the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis using only five cuts and a low-radiation-dose protocol. Clinical correlation of the findings on the scan with functional outcomes suggests that routine post-operative CT of the syndesmosis is probably not justified.
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Metadaten
Titel
Targeted computerised tomography scanning of the ankle syndesmosis with low dose radiation exposure
verfasst von
Rahul Kotwal
Narendra Rath
Vishal Paringe
Sandeep Hemmadi
Rhys Thomas
Kath Lyons
Publikationsdatum
01.03.2016
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
Skeletal Radiology / Ausgabe 3/2016
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Elektronische ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-015-2267-5

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