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Published in: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 4/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Original Article

Calculation of pediatric femoral fracture rotation from direct roentgenograms

Authors: M. S. Ozel, I. E. Ketenci, E. Kaya, S. Tuna, B. Saygi

Published in: Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology | Issue 4/2013

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Abstract

Background

Radiologic determination of pediatric femoral fracture rotation has been debated. Measuring the antetorsion angle of the fractured femur by computed tomography and comparing it with the opposite side has been the method of choice for this purpose. However, no simple method for direct measurement of femoral fracture rotation exists in the literature. In this study, our aim was to test a mathematical method of measuring the axial plane malrotation from direct roentgenograms.

Materials and methods

A pediatric femoral shaft fracture model was produced. The bone was secured to a wooden frame that allowed the distal part of the fracture to rotate around an axis. Radiographs were taken at known intervals of rotation ranging from the neutral position to 60° external rotation and to 60° internal rotation in 5° increments of rotation. Five independent, blinded observers measured the radiographs and calculated the fracture rotation according to a standard formula. Calculated rotation values were compared with known rotation values.

Results

Calculated rotation values were close to actual rotation values throughout the arc of rotation. The mean absolute error of five observers for all measurements of external and internal rotation was 3.97° (±0.83). The correlation coefficient between calculated and actual rotation values was 0.9927. The interobserver intraclass correlation coefficient for calculated rotation was 0.997.

Conclusions

Absolute error and correlation coefficient values indicate that this method is accurate and reliable in determining the fracture rotation.
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Metadata
Title
Calculation of pediatric femoral fracture rotation from direct roentgenograms
Authors
M. S. Ozel
I. E. Ketenci
E. Kaya
S. Tuna
B. Saygi
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1590-9921
Electronic ISSN: 1590-9999
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10195-013-0244-0

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