Levent Kara MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Yanik Buetikofer, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christian Jackowski MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Wolf-Dieter Zech MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To determine the different patterns of hip and acetabular fractures in postmortem CT in relation to different types of impact and involved vehicles including overrun of pedestrians.

173 native postmortem CT scans of traffic accident victims between 2005 and 2013 have been retrospectively evaluated regarding hip and acetabular fractures. The types of traffic accidents were also assessed. Only direct human vs. vehicle types of accident with pelvic fractures were included to be divided into four groups (n=47): a – pedestrians overrun (n=10), b – pedestrians hit but not overrun (n=17), c – bicyclists vs. car (n=10) and d – motorcyclists vs. car (n=10). Hip and acetabular fractures were classified according to the AO comprehensive classification. Categories A and B (no indication for immediate treatment) were compared to category C (immediate treatment indicated).  

According to the AO classification 24 of 47 victims presented category C fractures with indication for immediate treatment. Group a presented the highest rate of class C fractures (8 of 10). Decreasing rates of category C fractures could be observed in group b (10 of 17), group c (4 of 10) and group d (2 of 10).  

Overrun victims have the highest risk of hip and acetabular injuries with indication of immediate treatment followed in a decreasing risk in the groups b, c and d.

Knowledge of the distribution and patterns of hip and acetabular fractures with respect to the type of accident helps the radiologist to support the emergency physician in prioritizing trauma patients and their therapeutic needs.

Kara, L, Buetikofer, Y, Jackowski, C, Zech, W, Postmortem CT of Hip and Acetabular Fractures after Road Accidents in Relation to different Types of Impact and Involved Vehicles.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045574.html