THE USE OF COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY WITH 2-DIMENSIONAL AND 3-DIMENSIONAL RECONSTRUCTIONS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF 3-PART AND 4-PART FRACTURES OF THE PROXIMAL HUMERUS

Spiral computed tomography (CT) with three-dimensional and multiplanar reconstructions was used to assist in the diagnosis of three- and fou r-part fractures of the proximal humerus in 10 patients. CT added impo rtant information to that obtained by conventional radiography in four patients. It verified impaction of the capital fragment in two patien ts. In a patient with a four-part fracture metaphyseal attachment to t he head fragment was demonstrated and in a patient with a three-part a nterior fracture dislocation an osseous Bankart lesion was shown. In a h patients CT clearly visualized the degree of displacement of tuberos ity fragments which can be valuable when planning open reduction and i nternal fixation.