The Need for an Additional Pelvic CT in Cases of Acute Osseous Pelvic Injury that Has Already Been Diagnosed by Abdominal CT

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Abdominal CT (computed tomography) is a principal diagnostic imaging modality for torso trauma at the Emergency Department (ED). When acute osseous pelvic injuries are detected by abdominal CT, additional three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction pelvic CT is often performed. We compared abdominal CT with pelvic CT to provide information about acute osseous pelvic injuries. METHODS: A retrospective investigation of patients' electronic medical records during the five year period between January 1, 2004 and December 31, 2008 among Korean soldiers who underwent pelvic CT after abdominal CT at the ED was conducted. Axial images of abdominal CT were compared with axial images and 3D reconstruction images of pelvic CT. RESULTS: Sixteen patients underwent subsequent pelvic CT after abdominal CT. Axial images of abdominal CT showed the same results in terms of fracture detection and classification when compared to axial images and 3D reconstruction images of pelvic CT. Pelvic CT (including 3D reconstruction images) followed by abdominal CT neither detected additional fracture nor changed the fracture type. CONCLUSION: This study has failed to show any superiority of pelvic CT (including 3D reconstruction images) over abdominal CT in detecting acute osseous pelvic injury. When 3D information is deemed be mandatory, 3D reconstructions of abdominal CT can be requested rather than obtaining an additional pelvic CT for 3D reconstruction.