Fidelity of three-dimensional CT imaging for detecting fracture gaps.

Simulated femoral neck fractures with varying amounts of distraction were studied using four modifications in a volumetric, three-dimensional CT reconstruction program to allow an objective comparison of volumetric versus surface (thresholded) rendering. Binary classification caused spurious fusion of gaps less than 2.0 mm or, at settings preserving these gaps, produced false holes in adjacent bone. Fracture gaps were visible to 0.0 mm using volumetric CT image rendering technique.