Image Fusion of X-ray and Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Evaluation of the Stability of Pediatric Lateral Humeral Condyle Fracture

Lateral Humeral condyle fracture is the most common intra-articular fracture in pediatric elbow.

The present study aimed to analyze the differences between X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of the stability of pediatric lateral humeral condyle fracture and the degree of fracture displacement.

A total of 78 patients with acute elbow trauma were selected and hospitalized in our orthopedic department from July 2018-July 2019. All patients were examined with X-ray and MRI. The sensitivity and specificity of X-ray and MRI in the diagnosis of lateral humeral condyle fracture and the integrity of the trochlear cartilage chain fracture were calculated. The X-ray and MRI were examined respectively to check the value of lateral and posterior fracture space of lateral humeral condyle fracture.

Callus repair was observed according to the observation of fracture line during operation or the follow-up imaging examination of conservative treatment. It was confirmed that out of 78 patients with elbow joint trauma, 72 cases were diagnosed with the fracture of lateral condyle of humerus, and the other 6 patients were cured without fracture signs. The sensitivity of MRI in the diagnosis of pediatric lateral condylar fracture was 100%, which was significantly higher than that of X-ray (88.89%) (P<0.05). The results of X-ray and MRI in the diagnosis of pediatric lateral condylar fracture were generally consistent (kappa value = 0.465;< 0.01). Among the 72 confirmed cases, 35 subjects had a fracture of trochlear cartilage chain. The sensitivity of MRI in the diagnosis of pediatric fracture of lateral condyle of humerus was 97.14%, which was significantly higher than that of X-ray (62.86%) (P<0.05). The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The sensitivity of 3d-fs-fspgr or 3d-fspgr was significantly higher than that of fs-t2wi and fs-pdwi (P< 0.05).

As evidenced by the obtained results, MRI was superior to X-ray in the diagnosis of pediatric humeral epicondylar fracture stability and evaluation of fracture displacement. Furthermore, 3d-fs-fspgr or 3d-fspgr was the best MR sequence to show the pediatric humeral epicondylar fracture. These findings can provide a theoretical basis for the establishment of clinical treatment plan.