Computed tomography in the management of acetabular fractures.

Twenty-four patients who sustained major hip trauma received computed tomography (CT) scans as well as conventional radiographs. A comparison of plain films with the CT scans showed that CT aided the diagnosis in 23 patients (96%): that CT altered the diagnosis in 14 patients (58%) and that the CT findings altered the management in eight patients (33%). It is our conclusion that CT scanning plays an essential role in the work-up and management of patients with major hip trauma.