Classification of proximal humerus fractures: The contribution of the scapular lateral and axillary radiographs

Trauma series radiographs of 50 proximal humerus fractures were used to assess the relative contribution of the scapular lateral and axillary radiographs to fracture classification with the Neer system. The radiographs were reviewed by an orthopaedic shoulder specialist, on orthopaedic traumatologist, a skeletal radiologist, and orthopaedic residents in their fifth and second years, respectively, of postgraduate training. In the first viewing radiographs were reviewed and classified in the following sequence: (1) after scapular anteroposterior view alone; (2) after review of scapular anteroposterior and lateral views; and (3) after review of scapular anteroposterior, lateral, and axillary views. A second viewing of the same 50 cases was performed 6 months later in a changed sequence: (1) after scapular anteroposterior view alone; (2) after review of scapular anteroposterior and axillary views; and (3) after review of scapular anteroposterior, axillary, and scapular lateral views. For the five observers, review of the scapular anteroposterior and axillary views achieved the final classification in 99% of cases. However, after review of the scapular anteroposterior and lateral views, the final classification was achieved in only 79% of cases (p < 0.05). These results indicate that when combined with the scapular anteroposterior radiograph, the axillary view contributes significantly more to fracture classification with the Neer system than the scapular lateral radiograph.