Extended Computed Tomography Scale Images Provide a Detailed Assessment of Metal Screws and Are Superior to Standard Computed Tomography Scale Images and Digital Radiography at Detecting Experimentally Induced Screw Fractures In Vitro.

OBJECTIVES

(1) To compare the ability of standard computed tomography (CT) scale (SCTS) and extended CT scale (ECTS) images, produced using conventional CT technology, to provide detailed assessment of metal screws in vitro. (2) To assess how screw size, type, and orientation relative to the -axis of the gantry affect implant assessment. (3) To test the ability of SCTS, ECTS, and radiography to diagnose screw failure when there is negligible screw fragment displacement.

STUDY DESIGN

Part 1: 12 screws of different size, type, and composition were scanned in three orientations (parallel or 0°; oblique or 45°; and perpendicular or 90°) relative to the -axis of the gantry. SCTS and ECTS reconstructions were made for each screw, in each plane, to assess implant shape, structure, and diameter. Part 2: fatigue-failure was induced in four screws commonly used to stabilize canine humeral intracondylar fissures. Screws were then reassembled achieving grossly perfect apposition and alignment of the fragments. Ability to detect implant failure was tested using SCTS, ECTS, and radiography.

RESULTS

ECTS provided better screw assessment compared with SCTS resulting in clear visualization of the structure in 8/12 versus 0/12 screws and shape in 12/12 versus 11/12 screws; however, results were affected by screw size, type, and orientation. ECTS identified all in vitro screw fractures with negligible screw fragment displacement; however, success was affected by screw orientation: 4/4 fractures identified with a 90° angle, 1/4 for 45°, and 0/4 for 0°. SCTS and radiography did not identify any of them.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that ECTS reconstructions are useful for assessment of metal screws and for detection of nondisplaced screw fractures.