THE USE OF MRI TO DETECT OCCULT PROXIMAL FEMORAL FRACTURES: A STUDY OF 102 CONSECUTIVE CASES OVER A 10 YEAR PERIOD

Abstract

MRI was used to diagnose occult hip pathology in patients with a clinically suspected femoral neck fracture where no abnormality was detected on plain x-ray. All patients admitted into our unit with post traumatic hip pain, an inability to weight bear, and no abnormality found on a series of plain radiographs, underwent an MRI scan of the pelvis and affected hip to look for an occult femoral neck fracture.

The study included 102 consecutive patients who were prospectively studied over a 10 year period between 1997 and 2007. Four patients were excluded due to contraindications or an inability to tolerate having an MRI scan. Of the remaining 98 patients 81 had abnormalities detected (83%). 42 of these patients had evidence of a proximal femoral fracture. 23 patients underwent an operative procedure.

Eight incomplete intertrochanteric fractures were treated non-operatively with good results. One patient had a primary diagnosis of malignancy made on the basis of the MRI scan. One patient had a known primary malignancy but this was the first diagnosis of bony metastatic disease. Seventy five patients were scanned within 48 hours of admission (average 2.4 days).

The use of MRI in our unit was felt to be appropriate in patients with a high suspicion of proximal femoral fracture. Our results show that there is a significant incidence of fractures that are not apparent on plain x-rays. MRI led to early diagnosis and initiation of definitive management, potentially reducing cost and complications of immobility. It was most useful in showing the extent of the fracture, and picked up on other occult pathologies of the hip and pelvis. We recommend stabilisation of femoral neck fractures and non operative management of all incomplete intertrochanteric fractures if able to non weight bear. There must be a high index of suspicion of undiagnosed malignancy