eMedicine Specialties > Orthopedic Surgery > Hip

Acetabulum Fractures: Workup

Author: Mihir M Thacker, MBBS, MS(Orth), DNB(Orth), FCPS(Orth), D'Ortho, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University; Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children; Orthopedic Oncologist, Helen F Graham Cancer Center and Christiana Care Health Services
Coauthor(s): Nirmal Tejwani, MD, MPA, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases; Chief of Orthopedic Trauma, Bellevue Hospital; Chandrashekhar Thakkar, MBBS, Professor of Orthopedics, Lokmanya tilak Municipal Medical College, University of Mumbai, India
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 8, 2009

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels
  • Type and crossmatch blood
  • Routine evaluation of fitness for anesthesia and major surgery

Imaging Studies

The complicated anatomy of the acetabulum necessitates clear-cut visualization of the fracture fragments and their relationships with each other and the rest of the pelvis if anatomic reconstruction of the acetabulum is planned. The following imaging modalities can be used:

  • Plain radiographs - Pelvis with both hips (AP view), Judet views, and, if required, inlet and outlet views of the pelvis (in cases with concomitant pelvic injury)
  • CT scanning - Plain and with 3-D reconstructions

Radiograph of the pelvis with both hips

This is an essential radiograph and may depict the following:

  • Associated pelvic ring fractures independent of the acetabular fracture passing through the iliac wing, obturator foramen, or the sacrum
  • Dislocation through or disruption of 1 or more joints in the pelvic ring
  • Bone quality
  • Rarely, a bilateral acetabular fracture, as in the image below

  • Columns of the acetabulum, obturator view.

    Columns of the acetabulum, obturator view.

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    Columns of the acetabulum, obturator view.

    Columns of the acetabulum, obturator view.

  • The acetabular fracture itself

The 6 fundamental radiologic landmarks of the acetabulum are seen in this view.

  • The borders of the anterior wall (acetabulo-obturator line) and posterior wall of the acetabulum
  • The roof or the dome of the acetabulum
  • Teardrop of Köhler
  • Ilioischial line of Duverney-Parent
  • Pelvic inlet
  • Innominate line

Judet views

Obturator oblique: In this technique, the injured hip is raised to 45° and the beam is centered over a point 1 fingerbreadth below and medial to the anterior superior iliac spine. In a correctly taken obturator oblique, the anterior and posterior iliac spines are superimposed, the iliac wing is seen in section as narrow as possible, and, correspondingly, the obturator foramen is seen as large as possible. Features to be studied include the following:

  • Pelvic brim
  • Articular surface, especially the posterior lip
  • Obturator foramen and the anterior column
  • Iliac wing in section
  • Junction of the anterior and posterior columns as seen as a line just above the roof

Iliac oblique: In this technique, the uninjured hip is elevated to 45°, with the injured part resting on the table. The beam is centered 1 fingerbreadth below the level of the anterior superior iliac spine and at the midpoint of a transverse line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the midline. In a correctly positioned iliac oblique, the iliac wing is seen widely spread out and the obturator ring is as thin as possible. Features to be studied include the following:

  • Anterior lip of the acetabulum
  • Posterior column and posterior border of the iliac bone
  • The iliac wing

Radiographic analysis

Interpretation of the plain films is based on understanding the normal radiographic lines of the acetabulum and what each line represents. Disruption of any of the normal lines of the acetabulum represents a fracture involving that portion of the bone. Displacement of the articular surface is inferred by displacement of these normal lines of the acetabulum.

  • On the AP view, the inferior three fourths of the iliopectineal line represents the pelvic brim and is a landmark of the anterior column. The superior fourth of this line is formed by the tangency of the x-ray beam to the superior quadrilateral surface and the greater sciatic notch. The ilioischial line is formed by the tangency of the x-ray beam to the posterior portion of the quadrilateral surface and is, therefore, a radiographic landmark of the posterior column.
  • The teardrop and ilioischial line both result from the tangency of the x-ray beam to a portion of the quadrilateral surface. Thus, they are always superimposed in the normal acetabulum. Separation of the teardrop and the ilioischial line indicates rotation of the hemipelvis or fracture of the quadrilateral surface.
  • The roof of the acetabulum is a radiographic landmark resulting from the tangency of the x-ray beam to the subchondral bone of the superior acetabulum. Interruption of the radiographic line of the roof is indicative of a fracture involving the superior acetabulum.
  • The anterior rim is the lateral margin of the anterior wall of the acetabulum and is contiguous with the inferior margin of the superior pubic ramus. The posterior rim is the lateral margin of the posterior wall of the acetabulum. Inferiorly, the posterior rim is contiguous with the posterior horn of the acetabulum.

In most cases, the fracture can be classified properly from plain films alone. Plain films are usually best for assessing the congruence between the femoral head and the roof of the acetabulum.

Roof-arc angles

These are used to assess the size of the intact portion of acetabulum.19,20,21,22

The technique is as follows:

  • The roof-arc angles are made on the AP, obturator, and iliac oblique radiographic views. A vertical line is drawn to the geometric center of the acetabulum. Another line is drawn through the point where the fracture line intersects the radiographic roof of the acetabulum and again to the geometric center of the acetabulum. The angle drawn in this way represents the medial, anterior, or posterior roof arc as seen on the AP, obturator oblique, or iliac oblique view, respectively. The roof-arc measurements roughly describe the position and orientation of the acetabular fracture and, therefore, the intact portion of superior acetabular articular surface.
  • A similar determination can be made from the CT scan. The CT scan of the superior acetabular articular surface from the vertex to 10 mm inferior to the vertex is equivalent to an area described by all 3 roof-arc measurements of 45°. At 10 mm below the acetabular vertex, the subchondral bone appears as a ring or arc.

Interpretation and clinical application

  • If nonoperative treatment is to be considered, the head should remain congruous with the roof of the acetabulum on the 3 views of the pelvis with the patient out of traction, and all roof-arc measurements should be more than 45°, or there should be no displaced fracture lines involving the superior acetabular articular surface in the superior 10 mm of the acetabulum on CT scan. Vrahas et al, in a cadaveric study, concluded that fractures that have a medial roof-arc angle of 45° or less, an anterior roof-arc angle of 25° or less, or a posterior roof-arc angle of 70° or less across the weightbearing portion of the acetabulum should be treated operatively.17
  • Roof-arc measurements are rarely used. This technique is most applicable to the anterior column and less applicable to the posterior column. Roof-arc measurements are particularly helpful in evaluating the anterior column component of a T-shaped fracture. If the anterior column component is low (<10 mm of the acetabular vertex), only the posterior portion of the fracture needs to be addressed surgically.

CT scanning of acetabular fractures

Use of CT scanning for acetabular fractures has revolutionized the imaging of a particularly difficult area and, with 3-D reconstruction, has facilitated enormously the visualization of the fracture anatomy, the degree of comminution, and associated fracture patterns; it has also helped in the preoperative planning of the surgical reconstruction.23,24,25,26,27 Salient features are as follows:

  • It is important to have sections taken at 2- or 3-mm intervals, as incarcerated fragments may be missed if sections are taken at 5-mm intervals.
  • Three-dimensional CT is an invaluable tool for demonstrating the overall fracture orientation in displaced fractures, and for deciding the choice of operative approach to the fracture. Because of smoothening artifacts, however, it may not depict minimally displaced fractures.
  • Special views are available that enable selective study of the details of the acetabular fracture after computer subtraction of the femoral head from the image. These provide unrestricted access for visualization of the fracture.
  • Axial images are more sensitive than plain radiographs for demonstrating the following:
    • Location and extent of the acetabular fracture
    • Degree of comminution, rotation of the fragments, and impaction of the weightbearing dome and the posterior wall
    • Intra-articular/incarcerated fragments, as in the image below

    • Incarcerated fragment best seen on axial cuts of ...

      Incarcerated fragment best seen on axial cuts of the CT scan.

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      Incarcerated fragment best seen on axial cuts of ...

      Incarcerated fragment best seen on axial cuts of the CT scan.

    • Injury to the femoral head, as in the image above
    • Minimally displaced iliac wing fractures and quadrilateral plate fractures that may have been missed on plain films
    • Pelvic hematoma
    • Sacroiliac joint integrity
    • Rarely, a dislocation that is missed on a plain radiograph
  • Postoperatively, CT scanning is an invaluable investigative tool whenever joint penetration by a fixation device is suspected, as in the image below.

    • Intra-articular screw as seen on the axial cut of...

      Intra-articular screw as seen on the axial cut of the CT scan.

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      Intra-articular screw as seen on the axial cut of...

      Intra-articular screw as seen on the axial cut of the CT scan.

Other Tests

  • Doppler ultrasound or venography may be performed in cases in which deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is suspected.

More on Acetabulum Fractures

Overview: Acetabulum Fractures
Workup: Acetabulum Fractures
Treatment: Acetabulum Fractures
Follow-up: Acetabulum Fractures
Multimedia: Acetabulum Fractures
References
Further Reading
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Keywords

acetabulum fractures, acetabulum trauma, acetabular trauma, femur trauma, femoral trauma, fractures of the hip socket, intra-articular fractures of the hip, hip fracture, broken hip, hip pain, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für osteosynthesefragen–Association for the Study of Internal Fixation, AO-ASIF, femoral head fractures, femoral neck fractures, intertrochanteric fractures, trochanteric fractures, subtrochanteric fractures, hip joint, iliofemoral ligament, pubofemoral ligament, ischiofemoral ligament, intracapsular fracture, extracapsular fracture, anterior dislocation, posterior dislocation, single fragment fracture, comminuted fracture, stress fracture, incomplete fracture, impacted fracture, partially displaced fracture, completely displaced fracture, single fracture lines,multiple fracture lines, nondisplaced fracture

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mihir M Thacker, MBBS, MS(Orth), DNB(Orth), FCPS(Orth), D'Ortho, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics, Thomas Jefferson University; Consulting Staff, Department of Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery, Alfred I duPont Hospital for Children; Orthopedic Oncologist, Helen F Graham Cancer Center and Christiana Care Health Services
Mihir M Thacker, MBBS, MS(Orth), DNB(Orth), FCPS(Orth), D'Ortho is a member of the following medical societies: Children's Oncology Group, Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society ASAMI-North America, Medical Council of India, and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Nirmal Tejwani, MD, MPA, Associate Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases; Chief of Orthopedic Trauma, Bellevue Hospital
Nirmal Tejwani, MD, MPA is a member of the following medical societies: AO Foundation and Orthopaedic Trauma Association
Disclosure: Stryker Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Zimmer Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chandrashekhar Thakkar, MBBS, Professor of Orthopedics, Lokmanya tilak Municipal Medical College, University of Mumbai, India
Chandrashekhar Thakkar, MBBS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, AO Foundation, Orthopaedic Research Society, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, Orthopaedics Overseas, and Trauma Association of Canada
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

B Sonny Bal, MD, Associate Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Missouri School of Medicine
B Sonny Bal, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

James J McCarthy, MD, FAAOS, FAAP, Associate Professor, Consulting Orthopedic Surgeon, Department of Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health;
James J McCarthy, MD, FAAOS, FAAP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Orthopaedic Association, Limb Lengthening and Reconstruction Society ASAMI-North America, Orthopaedics Overseas, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America, Pennsylvania Medical Society, Pennsylvania Orthopaedic Society, and Philadelphia County Medical Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS, Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital
Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, American College of International Physicians, and American College of Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

William L Jaffe, MD, Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, New York University School of Medicine; Vice Chairman, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases
William L Jaffe, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Orthopaedic Association, Eastern Orthopaedic Association, and New York Academy of Medicine
Disclosure: Stryker Orthopaedics Consulting fee Speaking and teaching

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