MDCT More Accurately Depicts Bone Healing than DR

In a study by the Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, that compared multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and digital radiography (DR) using high quality 2-D formatting for healing of bone fractures, radiologists found that MDCT more accurately evaluated bone healing than DR.
In the study, 43 patients with fractures, arthrodesis or spinal fusion factures were scanned by MDCT and DR. Musculoskeletal radiologists studied the multiplanar reconstructions and radiographs to determine bone healing, using a semiquantitative approach. Results showed that in eight patients, the DR exams underestimated the extent of the bone healing, and in another eight cases overestimated the degree of fusion.
“Most cases were dealing with bone healing after spondylodiscitis, fractures or arthrodesis. However, no scientific data were available concerning the value of MDCT in bone healing compared to radiographs, which had been used for decades in this indication," said Christian R. Krestan, M.D., radiologist and lead author of the study. “The results of this study have a considerable impact on orthopedic patients and can lead to a substantial improvement in patient care. The exact diagnosis or exclusion of bone healing provides a basis for decisions like mobilization or immobilization.”