Musculoskeletal

Ankle: Evaluate suspected fracture

Specific Anatomic Region

Ankle

Application

Evaluate suspected fracture

Author

Fishman EK

Reference Source

Spiral Evaluation of the Musculoskeletal System
(in: Spiral CT: Principles, Techniques and Clinical Applications. Fishman, Jeffrey, eds. 1998)

Scanner Used

Siemens Somatom Plus 4

Injection Rate

N/A

Contrast Volume and Type

N/A

Area Scanned

Several cm above the talotibial joint through the midfoot

Scan Delay

None

Length of Spiral (time)

30-40sec

Slice Thickness

3mm

Table Speed/Pitch

Usually 3mm/sec or a pitch of 1

Reconstruction Interval

1 or 3mm

3D Technique Used

Volume rendering and MPR

Comment: This technique relies on a single CT acquisition in a plane parallel to the foot with MPR and 3D reconstructions done to provide all views. Another school of thought is to get a second set of images in a direct coronal plane with the foot flat. This is ideal in cases where calcaneal pathology is extensive.