Does the Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scan in Occult and Suspected Metastatic Pathological Neck of Femur Fractures Affect the Choice of Surgical Intervention?

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often employed as the diagnostic modality of choice in occult and suspected pathological femoral neck fractures. We evaluated the clinical utility of MRI scan in this patient population. Method: Retrospective observational analysis of cases with a radiologically occult or suspected metastatic pathological neck of femur fracture. Results: From a total of 894 femoral neck fractures treated in our institution, 100 patients had and MRI scan pre-operatively for either occult fracture or suspected fracture secondary metastatic disease. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of 13 simple fractures. A total of 14 patients had pathological features suggestive of metastasis, of which 12 were clearly visible on plain radiographs. Surgical plan did not change after MRI for any of these pathological fractures. Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrate that an MRI scan had an impact on treatment selection only when a simple but radiographically occult fracture is suspected and but not in the context of suspected metastatic pathological fractures.

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Evaluation of Occult Femoral Neck Fractures – Computed Tomography or Magnetic Resonance Imaging?

10.25259/ijmsr_40_2019 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 ◽

pp. 82-87

Author(s):

Moomal Haris ◽

Philip Robinson ◽

Harun Gupta

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Computed Tomography ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Femoral Neck ◽

Plain Radiograph ◽

Femoral Neck Fractures ◽

Second Line ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Femur Fractures ◽

Diagnostic Certainty

Aim: There is an increasing incidence of hip fracture with associated morbidity and mortality making accurate and timely diagnosis essential. The aim of this study was to compare computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to ascertain the optimum second-line investigation in cases where plain radiograph is not diagnostic. Material and Methods: Using the radiology information system, a total of 168 patients were identified with the suspected occult neck of femur fractures over 24 months who had undergone CT or MRI as second-line investigation. All relevant imaging was reviewed and diagnosis, any third-line or follow-up imaging was documented. Results: About 16% of patients undergoing CT as second-line test had proven originally occult femoral neck fractures on plain radiograph compared with 13% of those having MRI. About 13% of patients underwent MRI following CT and in 1/13 case MRI detected an occult fracture that had not been detected on CT. The remaining 11 patients were either negative or MRI proved CT suspicions of fracture when extra diagnostic certainty was requested by the surgeons. CT detected more non femoral pelvic fractures 47% versus 37%. Conclusion: CT and MRI are comparable at detecting occult femoral neck fractures. Given the increased availability, improved patient tolerance and speed of CT imaging, we advocate its use as the main second-line imaging modality. MRI remains a valuable problem-solving tool in a select few cases following review with a musculoskeletal radiologist.

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