Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 26, 2026
Assessment of Bone Fracture Healing Using Micro-Computed Tomography
Published on: December 9, 2022
Digital radiography in the diagnosis of Toddler's fracture
Michael J Fahr1, Laura P James, Jason R Beck
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, USA.
Background:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of digital imaging in the diagnosis of toddler's fractures.
Methods:
Medical records for a 9.4-year period were reviewed to locate children whose initial radiographs were interpreted as normal by a pediatric radiologist and whose subsequent bone scans or follow-up radiographs showed toddler's fractures. Radiographs from these children (ie, positive controls) and from children without toddler's fractures (ie, negative controls) were digitized to create a film bank that was reviewed by a panel of 14 physicians with various medical backgrounds. Medical records were reviewed for demographic information, findings on history and physical examination, and radiographic and laboratory tests.
Results:
Pediatric radiology physicians correctly diagnosed 73.2 +/- 5.4% of the digitized images, as compared with pediatric emergency physicians, 66.7 +/- 6.5% and residents/fellows, 57.1 +/- 6.9%.
Conclusion:
Digitized images may be helpful in evaluating limping children with suspected toddler's fractures, possibly eliminating the need for further diagnostic studies.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:30Radiological Investigation I: X-ray and CT
01:10Computed Tomography
The technique was invented in the 1970s and is based on the principle that as X-rays pass through the body, they are absorbed or reflected at different levels. In the technique, a patient lies on a motorized platform while a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner rotates...