THE USE OF HELICAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC SCAN TO ASSESS BONY PHYSEAL BRIDGES

Coronal and sagittal reformatted images of the physis obtained with th e helical computed tomography (CT) scanner were studied in five childr en. This technique allows tomographic slices al 1.0-mm thickness and c an be performed in similar to 20 s. The distal femora were studied in two children, the: distal tibia in two children, and the distal radius in one child. In three children, after physeal mapping, bar resection s were performed. In all cases, the location and size of the bar was a ccurately predicted by the map constructed from the helical CT scan, W e recommend the helical CT scan to prepare physeal maps to determine t he extent and location of physeal bony bars because of excellent bony detail, radiation doses one half to one quarter those of conventional tomography, and the rapidity of scanning, which bypasses the need for sedation.