Relative optical density image analysis of digitized radiograms for tibial fracture healing monitoring

Abstract

1. IntroductionThe purpose of the study was to evaluate the ability of new method (RODIA System) to quantifyfracture-healing progress on digital images of subsequent radiographs without previous X-raystandardization.2. MethodsCollections of digitized radiographs of 24 tibial fracture patients treated with various methods offixation (including Zespol, Carboelastofix, IM rod) were analyzed to quantify the healing progressuntil complete union occurred. Fracture Healing Monitor Module of Relative Optical Density ImageAnalysis (RODIA) System [1] was utilized for images evaluation.3. ResultsHealing rate curves were drawn from analyzed data. Monthly progress of healing wasdetermined. Following average values of optical density in fracture gap were calculated: after firstmonth of treatment 28.53% OD (STD 15.24), after second month 26.46% OD (STD 13.7), and18.69% OD (14.06) after third month of treatment. The highest rate of healing was observed afterfirst and second months of treatment. Negative charged values suggested healing arrest and delayedunion prediction.4. ConclusionDeveloped Relative Optical Density Image Analysis System (RODIA System) allows analyzingand measure digitized X-ray image to reliably enhance of fracture healing progress evaluation.Reference