CT angiography predicts healing of bone fractures

CT angiography could help identify the factors that keep some types of lower extremity fractures from healing faster and better than other, similar lesions, according to Boston University researchers.

The group, led by Dr. Kevin P. Donahue, analyzed 230 cases of fracture from 193 patients who underwent 64-slice CTA at the University's level I trauma center.

Donahue's group found no relationship between age or arterial vascular disease and healing failure. And despite the morbidity and complexity associated with open fractures, there was no significant association between these lesions and unhealed fractures. However, they found a significant correlation (p = 0.059) between unhealed fractures and vascular injuries. They released results at the 2009 RSNA meeting.