Evaluation of isolated fractures of the greater trochanter with magnetic resonance imaging.

The diagnosis of an isolated fracture of the greater trochanter can be done on routine radiographs, but this may not be the whole story. We evaluated fractures of the greater trochanter of the femur by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MR images were obtained within 5 days of the time of clinical presentation. Coronal images were performed on T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo images. Eight elderly patients who were diagnosed as having a greater trochanter fracture on standard radiographs underwent MRI. Three were men aged 62-76 (mean 63.4) years, and five were women aged 80-101 (mean 88.6) years. MRI showed that in seven of the eight cases, the fracture line was observed leading from the greater trochanter towards other trochanter regions. In only one case was the fracture limited to the greater trochanter and corresponded to the line observed on the standard radiographs. We suggest that in cases of greater trochanter fracture with somewhat severe symptoms, MRI should be performed in order to discover the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.