Effectiveness of false profile radiographs in detection of pelvic discontinuity

Pelvic dissociation is a rare but serious potential complication of total hip arthroplasty. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the false profile view compared with traditional radiographs in detecting pelvic dissociation. Ten cadaver pelves were skeletonized, and noncemented acetabular hip arthroplasty components were implanted. Anteroposterior, lateral, iliac oblique, and false profile radiographs were obtained before and after creating pelvic dissociations and analyzed in a blinded fashion. The sensitivity of the false profile view for detecting pelvic dissociation was 79% (confidence interval, 70-86), which was greater than the sensitivity for anteroposterior and lateral views. This difference was statistically significant. False profile views are a potentially valuable addition to the traditional radiographic evaluation of pelvic discontinuity in hip arthroplasty.