The value of three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions in diagnosis of shoulder injuries

The anatomical structure of shoulder articulation is complicated and therefore involves complex injuries which often appear in shoulder traumas which are difficult to diagnose precisely with the use of conventional radiograms. The aim of the study was to assess the clinical value of secondary spatial computed tomography (CT) reconstructions in diagnosis of shoulder injuries. The material consisted of 12 patients with shoulder traumas who had undergone CT examinations, supplemented with shaded surface display (SSD), and volume rendering technique (VRT) secondary spatial image reconstructions. It was concluded that three-dimensional (3D) shaded surface display and volume rendering technique spatial reconstructions broadened the diagnostic possibilities of axial computed tomography images, providing an assessment of shoulder structures in additional dimensions. This made possible the identifi cation of free bone fragments, determination of their localization, and spatial relations of the injured bone fragments. Computed tomography examination supplemented with 3D reconstructions is a complementary method in the diagnosis of patients with complex shoulder fractures, especially in cases where the extent of the fracture fissures, as well as localization and place of origin of free bone fragments cannot be determined on a standard X-ray. Inclusion of CT examination with 3D reconstructions into the diagnostic algorithm in shoulder traumas increases significantly the precision of diagnostic imaging.