Imaging diagnosis of stress fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objetive Stress fracture is often misdiagnosed because of some misunderstandings. Our study is to explore the value of imaging in diagnosing the stress fracture. Methods We analyzed 64 cases of stress fracture,of which 27 were male and 37 were female. Plain X ray examinations were performed for all of them, and the ECT, MRI, CT examinations followed in 28 cases. Results We divided the stress fracture into fatigue fracture and insufficiency fracture. In our study, 12 cases were of the fatigue fracture, 18.7%in all cases; and the other 52 cases were of the insufficiency fracture, 81.3%in all cases. 36 cases were diagnosed by the plain films only, and other 28 cases by a combination of ECT, MRI, CT imaging. The fatigue fracture was dominantly seen in the tibia of the adolescent, while the thoracic and lumber spines of old female were the common area of the insufficiency fracture. Conclusion Generally the stress fracture can be diagnosed according to the clinical appearance and X ray plain film. But the ECT, and MR imaging are also necessary in diagnosing difficult cases and the fracture at its early stage.