Fracture nonunion: CT assessment with multiplanar reconstruction.

Nineteen patients with suspected or possible fracture nonunion underwent computed tomography (CT) with multiplanar reconstruction (MPR). Each case represented a difficult problem in fracture management in which clinical and conventional radiographic examinations had failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. CT with MPR demonstrated nonunion in 13 of 19 cases by delineating the lack of bone bridging across the fracture site in multiple planes. Variable amounts bridging were detected in six cases, indicating partial healing or delayed union. Evaluation of fracture healing with MPR was possible despite remaining metal hardware (ten cases), multiple operations (15 cases), or bone grafting (five cases). CT with MPR aided surgical planning and affected treatment options by providing a more detailed assessment of malalignment and angular deformities, the magnitude of the gap in bone, and the integrity of the adjacent weight-bearing joints in multiple projections. It is an important new modality for evaluating fracture nonunion.