Trauma Flashcards
(124 cards)
- A 27-year-old man presents with posterior instability of the shoulder. Transaxial ts T1 MR arthrogram shows posterioinferior labrum tear and tear of the posterior scapular periosteum. Which is the diagnosis?
A. Reverse Bankart lesion
B. Bankart lesion
C. Bennett lesion
D. Posterior labrocapsular periosteal sleeve avulsion
E. Humeral avulsion of the posterior glenohumeral Ligament
A. Reverse Bankart lesion
The posterior inferior labrum is detected from glenohumeral attachment and there is an avulsion tear of the posterior scapular periosteum.
- A 20-year-old long-distance runner has a several week history of right lower leg pain. A plain film was reported as normal but CT showed multiple areas of osteopenia and cavities of the anterior tibial cortex. Which is the diagnosis?
A. Stress fracture
B. Chronic external compartment syndrome
C. Medial tibial stress syndrome
D. Periostitis
E. Interosseous membrane injury
C. Medial tibial stress syndrome
A spectrum of lesions can occur from repetitive stress. These include periostitis, cortical osteopenia, cancellous bone and cortical fractures. Injuries are most frequently in the cortex of the distal 2⁄3 of the tibia and known as medial tibial stress syndrome.
- A 27-year-old athlete develops groin pain. A pelvic radiograph suggests osteitis pubis. Which is the single best answer?
A. Osteitis pubis usually demonstrates rapid radiographic changes
B. Is due to a single traumatic insult in most cases
C. Is associated with inflammatory mediated inappropriate osteoblsatic activity
D. Is associated with pubic or perineal pain with resisted hip abduction
E. Radiographic changes include alternating osteopenia and sclerosis
E. Radiographic changes include alternating osteopenia and sclerosis
This is a self-limiting but often protracted condition secondary to repetitive microtrauma with osteoclastic activity and osseous resorption.
Radiographs show irregularity of subchondral bone plate, erosions, fragmentation and alternating osteopenia and sclerosis.
It may lead to joint space widening.
10) A 28-year-old physically active young man undergoes a hip MR arthrogram for chronic pain that is worse during exercise. There is a history of several months of hip pain when the patient was a teenager that was not investigated. Images show a loss of the femoroacetabular sulcus superiorly with an associated acetabular labral tear. What is the underlying condition?
a. pincer femoroacetabular impingement
b. cam femoroacetabular impingement
c. combined femoroacetabular impingement
d. traumatic labral tear
e. osteochondritis dissecans
b. cam femoroacetabular impingement
Cam is the most common form of femoroacetabular impingement in men, typically presenting in the third or fourth decade.
It is often related to a previous slipped upper femoral epiphysis in the teenage years.
A change in the rotational axis (increase in the alpha angle) causes the proximal superior femoral neck to impinge upon the superior acetabular margin and labrum, in turn causing intermittent pain, particularly in physically active individuals.
Even without a history of slipped femoral epiphysis, an osseous bump on the superior femoral neck obliterating the femoroacetabular sulcus can cause symptoms.
Labral or articular cartilaginous tears can follow repetitive microtrauma, leading to persistent pain and locking.
pincer type is common in women and is caused by an abnormally deep acetabulum.
@# 14) In the spectrum of perilunate ligamentous injuries and instability, volar tilt of the lunate, seen as a triangular or ‘pie-shaped’ lunate on the AP projection of the wrist, is most commonly a feature of which of the following?
a. scapholunate dissociation
b. perilunate dislocation
c. lunate dislocation
d. volar intercalated segmental instability
e. dorsal intercalated segmental instability
c. lunate dislocation
The lesser arc refers to the arc of ligamentous attachments around the lunate.
These ligaments become disrupted in a stepwise four-stage fashion.
Stage I injury is to the scapholunate ligament, leading to dissociation with rotary subluxation of the scaphoid.
Stage II is radiographically characterized by perilunate dislocation, caused by additional injury to the capitolunate joint. The carpus migrates dorsally and the lunate maintains a normal relationship with the radius.
Stage III involves the triquetrolunate ligaments,
and stage IV is complete disruption of the perilunate ligaments, allowing dislocation and rotation of the lunate. It is this rotation that creates the triangular outline on AP radiographs. Segmental instabilities relate to the spectrum of dynamic scaphoid instability.
30) MRI of the knee in an 18-year-old man, performed for pain and limited joint movement, reveals an osteochondral lesion of the medial femoral condyle. Other than displacement, which MRI finding is the most specific indication of an unstable osteochondral fragment?
a. joint effusion
b. subfragmental bone resorption
c. 3 mm cyst deep to the lesion
d. underlying linear high signal on T2W images
e. multiple lesions
d. underlying linear high signal on T2W images
High T2 signal in the bone underlying an osteochondral lesion has been described as the most common of four MRI findings indicating instability of an osteochondral fragment, which is the most important factor when considering treatment options.
The reported accuracy of this sign for predicting instability varies from 45% to 85%, with one study reporting an increased accuracy when this sign is combined with the second sign of a cartilaginous defect on T1W images.
However, another study states that often only a single indicator is present.
The other indicators of instability are high signal in the articular cartilage and a cystic lesion in the bed (but this needs to be 5 mm or larger).
@# 33) A 23-year-old man falls onto his outstretched right hand with his elbow flexed. AP and lateral radiographs of the mid-forearm reveal a fracture of the middle third of the radius. Which additional radiograph should be performed?
a. clavicle
b. shoulder
c. elbow
d. oblique forearm
e. wrist
e. wrist
A Galeazzi fracture–dislocation is a pattern of injury sustained by falling on an outstretched hand with a flexed elbow. It most commonly consists of a fracture of the radial diaphysis with dislocation or subluxation of the distal radioulnar joint. It is associated with a high rate of non-union, and one or both components are usually treated with surgical fixation.
It is important therefore that the radiologist can recognize potential patterns of injury and radiographically demonstrate their full extent. As a general rule, fractures should be viewed in two orthogonal planes, as should the joint above and below any fracture.
The opposite pattern, of an ulnar shaft fracture with dislocation of the proximal radial head, is termed a Monteggia fracture–dislocation.
A mnemonic for remembering the two is Glasgow Rangers (Galeazzi, radius) and Manchester United (Monteggia, ulna), which indicates for each injury which of the forearm bones is fractured.
@# 48) A young male patient sustains an external rotational injury to his left ankle and is unable to bear weight. A plain radiograph of the ankle performed in accident and emergency shows no fracture but does show soft-tissue swelling over the medial malleolus and widening of the ankle joint space medially (lateral talar shift). Which of the following additional view(s) should be performed?
a. mortise view
b. calcaneus
c. foot
d. knee
e. contralateral ankle
d. knee
The Maisonneuve fracture is a spiral fracture of the upper third of the fibula associated with a tear of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis and the interosseous membrane.
The medial component of the injury may be an associated fracture of the medial malleolus or rupture of the deep deltoid ligament.
The ankle joint is effectively a bony ring that extends up to the knee.
Interruption of the ring in this way allows lateral displacement of the fibula and so disruption of the congruence of the ankle mortise, resulting in an unstable ankle injury that requires surgical fixation.
@# 51) At which of the following skeletal locations does avascular osteonecrosis typically only occur in the presence of an associated fracture?
a. medial tibial condyle
b. second metatarsal head
c. lunate
d. femoral head
e. proximal scaphoid pole
e. proximal scaphoid pole
Osteonecrosis may be caused by two mechanisms: interruption of arterial supply, and intra- or extra-osseous venous insufficiency.
Interruption of vascular supply is usually associated with a fracture, as seen in the proximal scaphoid following waist fractures.
Femoral head osteonecrosis can occur with subcapital fractures, or without fracture as in Legg–Calve´ –Perthes disease.
Other common locations that may develop osteonecrosis without overt fracture include the medial tibial condyle (Blount’s disease), metatarsal head (Freiberg’s infraction) and the lunate (Kienbock’s disease).
Radiographic findings often lag several months behind the injury or onset of symptoms, and MR is the most sensitive imaging modality.
Radiographic signs include focal radiolucencies, sclerosis, bone collapse and loss of joint space.
52) A young adult male sustains an acetabular fracture in a high-speed road traffic collision. Which type of acetabular fracture is most commonly associated with significant neurological injury?
a. posterior rim/wall
b. anterior rim/wall
c. transverse T-shape
d. anterior and posterior column
e. central dislocation
a. posterior rim/wall
Acetabular fractures are common in multiple or major trauma patients, particularly those involved in road traffic collisions, and are classified according to the Letournel classification.
Fractures are often complex and require accurate delineation with CT, often following limited or suboptimal initial radiographic investigation with or without oblique pelvic (Judet) views.
Isolated posterior rim or wall fractures are the most common type (27%) and are associated with a high frequency of posterior dislocation of the femoral head causing sciatic nerve injury.
If the entire posterior column is involved in the fracture, there is a lower incidence of sciatic nerve injury, as the femoral head may not be dislocated.
Anterior injuries are uncommon (5%) and may be associated with anterior femoral head dislocation and iliac wing fracture.
Transverse fractures account for 9%.
55) A young adult male sustains an anterior shoulder dislocation while playing rugby. There is no associated fracture. Following apparently uncomplicated reduction in accident and emergency, he is unable to abduct the arm and complains of numbness over the upper lateral arm. What is the most likely cause?
a. supraspinatus tendon tear
b. axillary nerve palsy
c. musculocutaneous nerve palsy
d. shoulder impingement
e. deltoid muscle tear
b. axillary nerve palsy
The axillary nerve is a large terminal branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus that passes into the posterior aspect of the upper arm via the quadrilateral space, where it winds around the surgical neck of the humerus to supply the deltoid and teres minor muscles.
It has a cutaneous distribution called the ‘regimental badge area’ over the lateral aspect of the deltoid (where a soldier may wear his regimental badge).
Due to its intimate relationship with the humerus and its passage through the relatively small quadrilateral space, the axillary nerve is by far the most commonly injured nerve with shoulder dislocation or fractures.
As loss of abduction may be caused by pain rather than deltoid paralysis,
it is good practice to assess the sensation in the cutaneous distribution of the axillary nerve before and after any attempted shoulder reduction.
@# 57) Of the following eponyms associated with fractures, which relates to a fracture–dislocation?
a. Segond
b. Jones
c. Smith
d. Barton
e. Hutchinson
d. Barton
The use of eponymous names for fractures allows quick and accurate identification and communication of bone injuries while simultaneously alerting clinicians to the potential complications associated with a given fracture pattern. This is also particularly useful when describing complex radiographic appearances to someone remote from the images. The full value of such eponyms depends on accurate use and understanding of their meaning:
Barton’s fracture–dislocation is an intra-articular fracture of the dorsal margin of the distal radius with dorsal dislocation of the radiocarpal joint;
Segond’s fracture is an avulsion fracture of the proximal lateral tibia;
Jones’ fracture is a transverse fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal, at the junction of the diaphysis and metaphysis;
Smith’s fracture is a distal radial fracture with ventral displacement;
and Hutchinson’s fracture is a triangular fracture of the radial styloid.
60) Which of the following locations is most often associated with post-traumatic osteolysis?
a. coronoid process of ulna
b. surgical neck of humerus
c. lateral clavicle
d. femoral neck
e. fibular head
c. lateral clavicle
The lateral third of the clavicle is the most common location for posttraumatic osteolysis. It is usually preceded by a fairly severe injury to the shoulder, typically dislocation or subluxation of the acromioclavicular joint. Changes may be evident radiographically after as little as 1 month. If no bone loss was apparent on radiographs at the time of injury, the diagnosis is unequivocal. However, if no such comparison can be made, then other causes of lateral clavicular osteolysis include rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and hyperparathyroidism.
Other sites affected are the pubic and ischial rami, distal portions of the radius or ulna, the carpus and femoral neck.
Widespread idiopathic osteolysis is termed Gorham’s or vanishing bone disease.
61) A young man is admitted in cardiac arrest following electrocution. Following successful resuscitation in accident and emergency, he complains of an acutely painful right shoulder with severely decreased range of movement. What is the most likely plain film finding?
a. anterior shoulder dislocation
b. posterior shoulder dislocation
c. acromioclavicular dislocation
d. fractured surgical neck of humerus
e. subacromial impingement
b. posterior shoulder dislocation
Posterior shoulder dislocation is much rarer than anterior dislocation, accounting for only 5% of dislocations. It can be caused by direct or indirect force and is most commonly seen following seizure or electrocution.
The internal rotators of the shoulder are stronger than the external rotators, resulting in internal rotation of the arm if all the shoulder muscles contract simultaneously. This internal rotation predisposes to posterior dislocation in the same way that external rotation does for anterior dislocation.
Radiographic findings may be subtle on the AP projection, and include superior position of the humeral head relative to the glenoid, external rotation (the humeral head appears symmetrical like a light bulb), a sharp angle to the scapulohumeral arc and a compression fracture of the anterior humeral head (a reverse Hill–Sachs lesion).
@# 62) A middle-aged woman falls on an outstretched hand, which becomes immediately painful and swollen. A lateral radiograph shows a small fracture fragment dorsal to the carpus, and the AP radiograph appears normal. Which carpal bone is most likely to be fractured?
a. scaphoid
b. lunate
c. triquetrum
d. capitate
e. hamate
c. triquetrum
Carpal fractures in general are much less common than fractures to the distal radius. The two bones most commonly injured are the scaphoid (75%) followed by the triquetrum (14%), and these provide a greater diagnostic challenge radiographically than distal radial fractures.
Triquetrum fractures generally occur on the dorsal surface due to avulsion of the dorsal radiocarpal ligament, or shearing forces from impaction with the ulnar styloid or hamate in hyperextension.
Less commonly, the body of the bone can fracture in a transverse pattern.
A posterior chip fragment can often be seen with dorsal surface fractures, but is only visualized on the lateral view.
Such an injury may be a primary triquetrum injury (such as avulsion) or related to a perilunate fracture–dislocation.
63) An elderly woman falls down the stairs and suffers a Malgaigne fracture of the pelvis and a 1% degloving injury to the left forearm. Due to significant medical co-morbidity, the decision is made not to treat with surgery. The patient dies overnight on the ward. What is the most likely mechanism of death?
a. pulmonary embolism
b. fat embolism
c. septicaemia
d. myocardial infarction
e. intra-abdominal haemorrhage
e. intra-abdominal haemorrhage
A Malgaigne fracture of the pelvis is a fracture of the ischiopubic rami and an ipsilateral sacroiliac joint (or para-articular) fracture, and occurs due to high-energy blunt trauma.
It represents complete disruption of the pelvic ring and therefore an unstable fracture.
In such fractures, distortion and disruption of the pelvic soft tissues and vascular injury involving the rich blood supply in the pelvis will not be tamponaded by the bony ring, as the pelvis will expand to accommodate ever-increasing haematoma.
Mortality rate from major pelvic trauma is 10%; other common causes of death include multiorgan failure and sepsis, the latter expected to take several days to evolve.
70) Which of the following local factors is not associated with an increased risk of fracture non-union?
a. infection
b. fracture mobility
c. avascular fragments
d. impaction
e. open fracture
d. impaction
Fracture sites that have a poor blood supply, either as a result of the original injury or due to subsequent surgical treatment, may go on to develop atrophic non-union where the bone ends become osteoporotic, thin and pointed (osteolysis) with no evidence of fracture healing.
A fracture site that is very mobile may develop hypertrophic non-union where there is attempted healing denoted by excessive callus formation, but the fracture cleft persists.
Open fractures are often high energy, with soft-tissue damage and comminution of fracture fragments, and are prone to infection, all of which predispose to non-union.
Osteomyelitis in any fracture can result in delayed, non- or malunion.
Non-union in most skeletal locations should not be diagnosed radiographically until 6 months have passed, particularly in the presence of complicating factors.
74) A middle-aged man has a history of an undiagnosed wrist injury interfering with his playing golf. He presents with clinically apparent ulnar nerve compression at the wrist. Which of the following causes is most likely to be identified following investigation with CT and MRI?
a. non-union of hook of hamate fracture
b. non-union of scaphoid wrist fracture
c. scapholunate dissociation
d. pisiform osteoarthritis
e. triangular fibrocartilage complex tear
a. non-union of hook of hamate fracture
Fractures of the hook of the hamate are the most frequent type of hamate fracture, and most often occur from the repetitive stress of swinging a bat, club or racket, or from the direct blow of a club on the ground. This may result in ulnar nerve compression at the wrist in Guyon’s canal, which is particularly exacerbated in the context of non-union due to secondary osteoarthritis or loose bodies in the pisotriquetral joint.
Other causes of ulnar nerve compression at the wrist include adjacent masses, anomalous muscles and tendons, fibrous palmar arch, ulnar artery aneurysm, primary osteoarthritis of the pisotriquetral joint, os hamuli proprium and dislocation of the pisiform bone.
75) A 16-year-old female gymnast sustains a twisting injury to the knee, which becomes immediately painful and swollen, and she is unable to bear weight. Initial radiographs show an effusion but are otherwise normal. MRI confirms a joint effusion with a torn medial retinaculum, marrow oedema affecting the anterior aspect of the lateral femoral condyle, and a chondral defect of the medial facet of the patella. What is the most likely injury?
a. lateral collateral ligament tear
b. medial meniscal tear
c. pivot shift injury
d. transient patellar dislocation
e. posterolateral corner syndrome
d. transient patellar dislocation
Transient patellar dislocation always occurs laterally and was originally thought to be an injury confined to teenage girls with abnormal patellofemoral anatomy, but is now considered a potential injury in anyone who partakes in athletic activity.
The most common finding is effusion and lateralization of the patella with or without an abnormally shallow femoral sulcus.
Other findings seen on MRI are contusions of the lateral femoral condyle and medial patella with potential osteochondral defects, and disruption or sprain of the medial retinaculum.
Less specific findings include loose bodies and associated ligamentous or meniscal injury.
3 A 78 year old woman has left hip pain following a fall. On examination the left hip is shortened and externally rotated. X-rays show a fracture of the left neck of femur. Which of the following fractures is at highest risk of avascular necrosis?
(a) Basi-cervical fracture
(b) lnter-trochanteric fracture
(c) Sub-capital fracture
(d) Sub-trochanteric fracture
(e) Trans-cervical fracture
(c) Sub-capital fracture
Proximal femoral fractures are divided in subcapsular and extracapsular.
The joint capsule runs from the acetabulum to the inter-trochanteric line anteriorly and to the junction of the middle/ distal third of the femoral neck posteriorly.
Thus intracapsular fractures are those of the femoral neck: sub-capital, trans-cervical and basicervical fractures,
and extracapsular include inter-trochanteric, subtrochanteric and femoral shaft fractures.
lntracapsular fractures are more susceptible to AVN because the main supply to the femoral head is from the circumflex femoral arteries, which enter via the capsule and are more likely to be disrupted by such fractures.
Additional blood supply from the ligamentum teres artery via the acetabular fossa and the retinacular branches on the surface of the femoral neck, are usually insufficient to prevent AVN.
Furthermore they may be compromised by the raised pressure secondary to blood within the joint capsule.
The more proximal the subcapsular fracture, greater risk of vascular compromise, thus a sub-capital fracture has greatest risk of AVN.
(MSK) 22 With regards to the Ottawa rules for plain radiographs of the foot and ankle, which of the following is incorrect?
(a) An ankle X-ray is indicated if the patient cannot weight bear at the time of injury
(b) An ankle X-ray is indicated if there is pain in the malleolar zone and bony tenderness over the base of the 5th metatarsal
(c) A foot X-ray is indicated if there is pain in the midfoot zone and bony tenderness over the navicular
(d) An ankle X-ray is indicated if the patient cannot weight bear in the department
(e) An ankle X-ray is indicated if there is pain in the malleolar zone and bony tenderness over the posterior edge of the lateral malleolus
(b) An ankle X-ray is indicated if there is pain in the malleolar zone and bony tenderness over the base of the 5th metatarsal
A foot x-ray is indicated with bony tenderness over the base of the 5th metatarsal (and midfoot pain).
@# 24 A 32 year old man falls on his outstretched right wrist whilst playing football. Wrist X-ray reveals a displaced, oblique intraarticular fracture of the dorsal lip of the distal radius. What is the fracture type described?
(a) Barton’s
(b) Chauffeur’s
(c) Calles’
(d) Smith’s
(e) Salter Harris Type II
(a) Barton’s
A Barton’s fracture refers to an intra-articular fracture through the distal radius. The conventional Barton fracture involves the dorsal rim of the radius, the reverse Barton involves the volar rim.
Salter-Hanis fractures involve the growth plate before closure;
the other types described are not intra-articular.
Calles’ and Smith’s are fractures of the distal radius with dorsal and volar displacement of the distal fragments, respectively.
A chauffeur fracture is a triangular fracture of the radial styloid process.
29 A man suffers a supination-abduction ankle injury. Plain films reveal an oblique fibular fracture through the tibiofibular syndesmosis. Which Weber category does this represent?
(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D
(e) E
(b) B
The Weber classification is based on the location of the distal fibular fracture relative to the tibiotalar joint.
Type A is a transverse fracture distal to the ankle joint;
type B is an oblique fracture at the level of the joint;
type C is a fibular fracture proximal to the level of the joint.
There is no type D or E.
33 A patient has injured his knee and is unable to weight bear. AP and lateral radiographs are taken. Which of the following is an abnormal finding?
(a) On the lateral view, the distance from the lower pole of the , patella to the tibial tubercle is 1.5 times the length of the patella
(b) There is irregularity of the tibial tubercle
(c) On the AP view, a perpendicular line drawn from the lateral margin of the femoral condyle has 3 mm of the lateral margin of the tibal condyle outside of it
(d) There is a corticated, calcified body in the lateral head of the gastrocnemius muscle
(e) There is a multipartite patella
(a) On the lateral view, the distance from the lower pole of the , patella to the tibial tubercle is 1.5 times the length of the patella
On the lateral view, the distance from the lower pole of the patella to the tibial tubercle should equal the length of the patella plus or minus 20%. If this rule is broken, a ruptured patellar ligament must be suspected. On the AP view a perpendicular line drawn from the lateral margin of the femoral condyle should have s; 5 mm of the lateral margin of the tibal condyle outside of it. The fabella is a common sesamoid bone within the lateral head of gastrocnemius.