A diagnostic protocol for ipsilateral femoral neck and shaft fractures

Abstract

Objective To evaluate a serf-designed diagnostic protoeol which can early detect a femoral neck fracture for patients with a femoral shaft fracture. Methods From September 2005 to June 2007, a self-developed protocol was used to detect an ipsilateral femoral neck fracture for all the patients with femoral shaft fracture who had sought treatment in our department. This protocol consisted of anteroposterior plain radiography of internal rotator, intraoperative fluoroscopy of the hip, a fine (2 mm) cut computed to-mographic scan through the femoral neck, postoperative anteroposterior and lateral plain radiography of the hip in the operating room prior to awakening the patient, at the time of follow-up anteroposterior and lateral plain radiography of the hip in the presence of hip pain. The diagnostic effects of the protocol were compared with those of conventional diagnosis used for all the patients with femoral shaft fracture who had sought treatment in our department from September 2003 to August 2005. A chi-square analysis comparing the protocol group (September 2005 to June 2007) and the non-protocol group (September 2003 to August 2005) was used to assess the early and delayed diagnosis rates for an associated ipsilateral femoral neck fracture. Results The earlydiagnosis rate of an associated femoral neck fracture by the protocol was 93.8%, markedly higher than that by conventional method (46.2%), with statistically significant difference (χ2 = 4.069, P =0.044). Conclu-sion In presence of a femoral shaft fracture. this protocol consisting of plain radiography of intemal rotator, intraoperative fluoroscopy of the hip, fine cut computed tomographic scan of the femoral neck, postoperative plain radiography of the hip, and follow-up plain radiography of the hip in the presence of hip pain, may sig-nificantly improve the diagnostic rate of an associated femoral neck fracture. Key words: Femur; Femoral neck; Fracture; Diagnosis