Three-dimensional mapping of distal humerus fracture

• Published in: Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 545 - 7
• Main Authors: Wang, Chao, Zhu, Yong, Long, Haitao, Lin, Zhangyuan, Zhao, Ruibo, Sun, Buhua, Zhao, Shushan, Cheng, Liang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 03.09.2021; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Big Data; Classification; Computed tomography; CT imaging; Digital imaging; Distal humerus fracture; Elbow; Elbow Joint - diagnostic imaging; Epiphyses; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal; Fracture mapping; Fractures; Fractures, Bone; Heat map; Humans; Humeral Fractures - diagnostic imaging; Humeral Fractures - surgery; Humerus; Hydraulic fracturing; Internal fixation in fractures; Male; Mapping; Medical diagnosis; Middle Aged; Morphology; Orthopedics; Patients; Retrospective Studies; Software; Three-dimensional imaging; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Trauma; Belgium; China; Distal humerus fracture; Computed tomography; Heat map; Three-dimensional imaging; Fracture mapping
• DOI: 10.1186/s13018-021-02691-0
• ISSN: 1749-799X

Distal humerus fractures (DHFs) constitute one-third of elbow fractures approximately. In this study, we aim to define and analyze the fracture lines and morphological features of DHFs using mapping technique. One hundred and two DHFs were retrospectively reviewed. All the computed tomography (CT) data were used to manually reconstruct and virtually reduce the DHF fragments to fit a standard 3D model. Smooth curves were depicted accurately onto the surface of the template to represent the fracture lines. All the curves were overlapped onto the model to create the 3D fracture map and heat map. Our analysis was based on 102 CT images of DHFs, contributed by 59 male and 43 female patients (mean age, 46 years; range, 18-93 years), and included 15 type A, 25 type B, and 62 type C fractures. On mapping, the hot zones were located in the radial fossa, coronoid fossa, olecranon fossa, and the external part of the trochlear. Conversely, the cold zones were noted in medial condyle, the medial side of the trochlear, and the anterolateral area on the supracondylar ridge. Our study firstly shows the fracture lines and morphological features of distal humeral fractures by three-dimensional mapping technology. Distal humerus fracture lines are characteristic and highly related to the micro-architecture difference of distal humerus, which may provide some guidance for the treatment plan selection and surgical fixation design.