Computerized tomography for ascertaining osteocartilagenous intraarticular (slice) fractures of the femoral head.

Posterior dislocation of the hip joint is the result of severe trauma and leaves those affected with a significant degree of morbidity. Avascular necrosis of the femoral head is its most feared, and yet difficult to diagnose, complication, mainly in the immediate postinjury period. Intraarticular (slice) fractures of the posteroinferior and inferomedial aspects of the femoral head associated with such dislocations may cause the same clinical symptomatology as the sequelae of avascular necrosis, yet need a different approach and have a different prognosis. Since these slice fractures occur in a blind spot area for routine radiographic examinations of the hip, they are often missed and consequently underdiagnosed. Computerized tomography of the hip following posterior dislocation has become a most useful tool in ascertaining the diagnosis in these patients because it very clearly delineates such "slice" fractures, thus enhancing the correct assessment of this severe and often crippling injury.