Multislice Computed tomography recommended for imaging of bone healing over digital X-ray:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Austrian researchers have recommended that multislice computed tomography (CT) should be used as the primary imaging technique to evaluate bone healing, as opposed to the use of digital X-rays taken from two views - currently the most common method used in this setting. The study, conducted at the Medical University of Vienna, looked at 43 patients with arthrodesis, fractures or spinal fusions. The two modalities produced concordant results in 27 patients. However, digital X-ray underestimated the extent of bone healing in eight of the patients and overestimated it in a further eight. Multislice CT was carried out using Philips Medical Systems' 16-slice scanner, and digital X-ray was prepared with Siemens Medical Solutions' Multix FD. The findings appear in the June issue of American Journal of Roentology.