RADIOLOGY CORNER


https://doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10040-1183
Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery (Asia Pacific)
Volume 8 | Issue 4 | Year 2021

Intraoperative C-arm CT for Assessment of Syndesmotic Reduction


Patel Sandeep1, Nishani Manjunath2, Chaluvashetty Sreedhara B3

1,2Department of Orthopaedics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
3Department of Radiodiagnosis and Imaging, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India

Corresponding Author: Sandeep Patel, Department of Orthopaedics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India, Phone: +91 9901440404, e-mail: sandeepdrpatelortho@gmail.com

How to cite this article Patel S, Nishani M, Chaluvashetty SB. Intraoperative C-arm CT for Assessment of Syndesmotic Reduction. J Foot Ankle Surg (Asia Pacific) 2021;8(4):209–210.

Source of support: Nil

Conflict of interest: None

ABSTRACT

Anatomic syndesmotic reduction is an important predictor of successful outcomes after ankle fracture fixation with associated syndesmotic injury. Various methods to check syndesmotic reduction range from mini-open technique and visualization to various radiographic parameters on standard C-arm to postoperative CT scans. Intraoperative CT scan will definitely be the best imaging modality and can avoid re-surgeries. With the advent of C-arm CT scans, the whole process of intraoperative CT scans can be cost-effective, compact, and easy portability between operation theaters.

Keywords: Ankle fracture, Intraoperative CT, Syndesmosis injury.

INTRODUCTION

Syndesmotic reduction is of paramount importance as any malreduction can grossly alter the congruity of the tibiotalar articulation, leading to early arthritis. Worse outcomes have been demonstrated when the syndesmosis is not anatomically reduced.15 Leeds and Ehrlich1 correlated syndesmosis malreduction with ankle arthritis at an average of 4 years after injury. Chissell and Jones2 noted functional results to be worse with increasing tibiofibular diastasis or malreduction; as per Weening and Bhandari,3 the only significant predictor of functional outcome was the accuracy of syndesmosis reduction. Weening and Bhandari3 and Gardner et al.4 reported tibiofibular malreduction rates of 16% and 24%, respectively, with the use of standard radiographic criteria. Gardner et al.4 have shown in their study that many syndesmoses were malreduced on CT scan but went undetected by plain radiographs; they concluded that radiographic measurements alone do not accurately reflect the status of the distal tibiofibular joint and post-reduction radiographic measurements are inaccurate for assessing the quality of reduction. Sagi et al.5 have noted worse outcomes with syndesmotic malreductions at a 2-year follow-up and have advocated surgeons to perform open visualization of syndesmosis to achieve reduction. They advocated that a postoperative CT scan with comparison to the contralateral extremity may be essential to gauge reduction.

Intraoperative CT scan is a novel modality, not easily available at all centers. However, the availability of the same can help in guiding the best syndesmotic reduction intraoperatively and can avoid repeat surgeries. Immediate control of fracture and syndesmotic reduction and ideal screw positioning in high image quality can reduce the need for secondary revision surgery. There are limited case reports6,7 in literature which have used intraoperative CT scans and demonstrated their utility in achieving anatomic syndesmotic reduction. Intraoperative CT scans have assumed importance in spine surgeries and pelvic surgeries,8,9 where they can guide in adequate placement of screws. It can also be combined with navigation systems for improving accuracy.

During the past, intraoperative CT needed huge CT machines to be installed in the operation theaters which was very expensive and logistically difficult as they could not be shifted between operating rooms. However, at present, cone-beam computed tomography which can be acquired through flat-panel detectors has evolved as a breakthrough as this can be incorporated into C-arms or O-arms, which can make them mobile and can easily be shifted to different operation theaters. The advantage of flat-panel detector technology is high-image quality and lower dose when compared with conventional C-arms. The C-arm CT works on the principle of rotating and capturing multiple images after focusing on the area of interest. Thereafter, it creates a 3D volume-rendered image and multiple plane images (axial coronal and sagittal) can be assessed. Figures 1 and 2 depict a case of ankle fracture where intraoperative CT was used for assessing syndesmotic reduction.

Limitations of the above technology are its high cost, and its non-availability in all centers; hence, it is equally important to rely on other easily available methods to achieve perfect syndesmotic reduction. However, the C-arm CT which works on 3D volume rendering is still less costly than conventional CT scans and can be cost-effective with an added advantage of compactness and easy portability between operation theaters.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative CT scans, an emerging imaging modality is probably the best evaluator of syndesmosis reduction and when available should be used to confirm the syndesmosis reduction in complex ankle fractures.

Figs 1A to C: Preoperative X-rays (AP and lateral) of a trimalleolar fracture (PER 4 injury) and axial CT section depicting the syndesmotic injury

Figs 2A and B: Intraoperative CT scan axial sections demonstrating anatomic syndesmosis reduction

REFERENCES

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2. Chissell HR, Jones J. The influence of a diastasis screw on the outcome of Weber type-C ankle fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1995;77(3):435–438. DOI: 10.1302/0301-620X.77B3.7744931.

3. Weening B, Bhandari M. Predictors of functional outcome following transsyndesmotic screw fixation of ankle fractures. J Orthop Trauma 2005;19(2):102–108. DOI: 10.1097/00005131-200502000-00006.

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8. Verma SK, Singh PK, Agrawal D, et al. O-arm with navigation versus C-arm: a review of screw placement over 3 years at a major trauma center. Br J Neurosurg 2016;30(6):658–661. DOI: 10.1080/02688697.2016.1206179.

9. Kinon MD, Desai R, Loriaux D, et al. Image-guided percutaneous internal fixation of sacral fracture. J Clin Neurosci 2016;23:146–148. DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.08.011.

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