Early Diagnosis of Talus Block Avascular Necrosis

Abstract

85 patients at the age of 17–61 years with various traumatic injuries of the ankle have been examined. There were 44 male patients and 41 — female ones. The examination was made using SIEMENS Magnetom Symphony 1.5 T magnetic-resonance tomograph. Comparative AP x-rays of the ankle were also made in all the patients. Based on the Bristol classification, avascular necrosis was revealed in thirteen patients (15.3%) among those examined with the ankle pathology. The first, pre-x-ray, stage (according to Hepple et al, 1999) was revealed in 9 of 13 patients by MRT data, being characterized by cartilage involvement, the second stage was determined in three patients (a subchondral fracture with perifocal edema or without it), the third stage was revealed in one patient (the non-displaced fragment separated). The results of the work have demonstrated that magnetic-resonance tomography is the only method which allows to reveal avascular necrosis of talus block at an early, pre-x-ray, stage, as well as to assess the involvement stage and size in hyaline cartilage, that will make it possible to determine the tactics of treatment.