Journal List > J Korean Foot Ankle Soc > v.19(4) > 1043355

Na, Lee, Park, and Park: Three-Dimensional Volume Analysis of Partial Avascular Necrosis after Talar Neck Fracture

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to define the geographic patterns of partial avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talar body and to determine whether there were any predictors of both the location and occurrence of partial AVN.

Materials and Methods

Nineteen patients with fracture of the talar neck treated by open reduction and internal fixation and followed up for more than 1 year were analyzed. The radiographs were examined 6 to 8 weeks after the operation for Hawkins sign and if it was not observed, magnetic resonance scans were performed. The three-dimensional analysis was performed using Mimics 17.0 (Materialise). The incidence of collapse and time to operative intervention was recorded.

Results

Partial AVN of the talar body was observed in six out of 19 patients. The avascular segment of the talar body was located predominantly in the anterolateral portion. The average volume of the avascular segment was 289 mm3, and it occupied 1% of total volume of the talus, and 10% of the talar dome. Collapse occurred in one patient in the area of the avascular process. There were no observable trends with regard to Hawkins classification, incidence of collapse, or time to operative intervention to the location of the avascular segment.

Conclusion

Partial AVN can occur after fracture of the talar neck. The predominant location of the avascular segment was the anterolateral portion of the talar body. This information may be helpful to understanding the process of avascular necrosis of the talar body.

References

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Figure 1.
(A) The criterion for the establishment of partial avascular necrosis was based on clear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proton density weighted imaging evidence. Coronal plane MRI proton density fat suppression image shows the avascular fragment in the anterior of the talus. (B) Same image with the sagittal plane MRI T1-weighted image shows the avascular fragment in the anterior quadrant.
jkfas-19-161f1.tif
Figure 2.
The three-dimensional (3D) image of a talus made by Mimics (Materialise) shows avascular fragment. The area of oblique line is avascular fragment. And we can get the volume and the surface of it from 3D properties.
jkfas-19-161f2.tif
Figure 3.
The chart shows the frequency of normal, complete avascular necrosis (AVN), and partial AVN. There were 6 partial AVN. Three cases were Hawkins type II and 3 cases were Hawkins type III.
jkfas-19-161f3.tif
Table 1.
Charateristic of Patients
Patient No. Age (yr)/sex Injury mechanism Hawkins classification Surgical approach Time to reduction (hr) Volume of AVN (mm3)
1 36/M Fall down III Med 4 509
2 59/M Car TA II Med/Lat 6 36
3 47/M Car TA III Med 4 211
4 31/M Car TA III Med 6 375
5 47/M Car TA II Med/Lat 7 327
6 27/M Bike TA II Med/Lat 10 276
Mean 41.1       6.1 289

M: male, TA: traffic accident, Med: medial, Lat: lateral, AVN: avascular necrosis.

Table 2.
Statistical Analysis of the Correlation with Age, Time to Reduction and Partial AVN
Category Normal group (n=12) Partial AVN (n=6) p-value
Age (yr) 35.8 (17∼60) 41.1 (27∼59) 0.404
Time to reduction (hr) 6.8 (3∼12) 6.1 (4∼10) 0.733
Fracture type I: 9, II: 2, III: 1 I: 0, II: 3, III: 3  

Values are presented as mean (range).

There is no significant correlation with age, time to reduction and partial AVN.

AVN: avascular necrosis.

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