# Skeletal trauma

Skeletal trauma

Musculoskeletal trauma is best imaged by an initial plain radiograph. All skeletal radiographs should be taken from two di ff erent angles, usually at right angles to each other. This is important in trauma because a fracture or dislocation may not be visible on a single view ( Figure 8.18 ). Occasionally , specific locations such as the scaphoid, more than two views are routinely performed. If  this fails to make a clear diagnosis, or if  there is suspicion of  soft-tissue injuries, then cross-sectional ted. studies are indica Increasingly in the assessment of  spinal trauma, CT is replacing radiographs as the first-line investigation for two main reasons: the first is that the sensitivity of  CT is superior, , enabling treatment to com the second is that it is quicker mence sooner. Axial CT images alone may fail to diagnose some frac tures, so three-dimensional reformatting is important to pre vent errors. Sections should be thin, but care must be taken Nikola Tesla , 1856–1943, American physicist and electrical engineer who worked for the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company . A tesla is the SI unit of  magnetic flux density . - Summary box 8.9 Trauma imaging /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF not to cover too wide an area, as the radiation burden may be excessive, particularly with multislice CT . 

Figure 8.18
Anteroposterior radiograph of the wrist
(a)
in a patient
following a fall does not show an acute bony injury. It is only on the
second view
(b)
that a fracture of the dorsal cortex of the distal radius
is visualised (arrow).
Initial imaging is either radiography or CT
At least two views are needed for radiographs
Use CT for spine, intra-articular or occult fractures

Skeletal trauma

Musculoskeletal trauma is best imaged by an initial plain radiograph. All skeletal radiographs should be taken from two di ff erent angles, usually at right angles to each other. This is important in trauma because a fracture or dislocation may not be visible on a single view ( Figure 8.18 ). Occasionally , specific locations such as the scaphoid, more than two views are routinely performed. If  this fails to make a clear diagnosis, or if  there is suspicion of  soft-tissue injuries, then cross-sectional ted. studies are indica Increasingly in the assessment of  spinal trauma, CT is replacing radiographs as the first-line investigation for two main reasons: the first is that the sensitivity of  CT is superior, , enabling treatment to com the second is that it is quicker mence sooner. Axial CT images alone may fail to diagnose some frac tures, so three-dimensional reformatting is important to pre vent errors. Sections should be thin, but care must be taken Nikola Tesla , 1856–1943, American physicist and electrical engineer who worked for the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company . A tesla is the SI unit of  magnetic flux density . - Summary box 8.9 Trauma imaging /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF not to cover too wide an area, as the radiation burden may be excessive, particularly with multislice CT . 

Figure 8.18
Anteroposterior radiograph of the wrist
(a)
in a patient
following a fall does not show an acute bony injury. It is only on the
second view
(b)
that a fracture of the dorsal cortex of the distal radius
is visualised (arrow).
Initial imaging is either radiography or CT
At least two views are needed for radiographs
Use CT for spine, intra-articular or occult fractures

Skeletal trauma

Musculoskeletal trauma is best imaged by an initial plain radiograph. All skeletal radiographs should be taken from two di ff erent angles, usually at right angles to each other. This is important in trauma because a fracture or dislocation may not be visible on a single view ( Figure 8.18 ). Occasionally , specific locations such as the scaphoid, more than two views are routinely performed. If  this fails to make a clear diagnosis, or if  there is suspicion of  soft-tissue injuries, then cross-sectional ted. studies are indica Increasingly in the assessment of  spinal trauma, CT is replacing radiographs as the first-line investigation for two main reasons: the first is that the sensitivity of  CT is superior, , enabling treatment to com the second is that it is quicker mence sooner. Axial CT images alone may fail to diagnose some frac tures, so three-dimensional reformatting is important to pre vent errors. Sections should be thin, but care must be taken Nikola Tesla , 1856–1943, American physicist and electrical engineer who worked for the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company . A tesla is the SI unit of  magnetic flux density . - Summary box 8.9 Trauma imaging /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF not to cover too wide an area, as the radiation burden may be excessive, particularly with multislice CT . 

Figure 8.18
Anteroposterior radiograph of the wrist
(a)
in a patient
following a fall does not show an acute bony injury. It is only on the
second view
(b)
that a fracture of the dorsal cortex of the distal radius
is visualised (arrow).
Initial imaging is either radiography or CT
At least two views are needed for radiographs
Use CT for spine, intra-articular or occult fractures