Comparison of X-ray and Computed Tomography Scan in the Diagnosis and Classification of Tillaux-Chaput Fractures in Adults

Category: Trauma; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Anterolateral distal tibial fractures, also known as Tillaux-Chaput fractures (TCF), have slowly gained attention, considering the risk of chronic pain and osteoarthritis if not appropriately managed. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy o...

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Main Authors: Jafet Massri-Pugin MD, Gabriel Matamoros MD, Sergio Morales MD, MSc, María Jesús Lira MSc, Pablo Mery MD, Gonzalo Díaz MD, Jorge Filippi MD, MBA
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011424S00214
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author Jafet Massri-Pugin MD
Gabriel Matamoros MD
Sergio Morales MD, MSc
María Jesús Lira MSc
Pablo Mery MD
Gonzalo Díaz MD
Jorge Filippi MD, MBA
author_facet Jafet Massri-Pugin MD
Gabriel Matamoros MD
Sergio Morales MD, MSc
María Jesús Lira MSc
Pablo Mery MD
Gonzalo Díaz MD
Jorge Filippi MD, MBA
author_sort Jafet Massri-Pugin MD
collection DOAJ
description Category: Trauma; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Anterolateral distal tibial fractures, also known as Tillaux-Chaput fractures (TCF), have slowly gained attention, considering the risk of chronic pain and osteoarthritis if not appropriately managed. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ankle radiographs in diagnosing and classifying TCF with computed tomography (CT) scans in the adult population. Methods: A retrospective review of ankle fractures evaluated at a single institution between 2013-2023 was performed. Inclusion criteria were patients aged >18 years and evaluation with ankle radiographs and CT scan. Exclusion criteria were distal tibial/pilon fractures,or prior ankle surgery. A matching 1:2 was performed on patients with and without TCF. A radiologist evaluated the TCF under CT scan and classified the fractures according to Rammelt’s classification: type 1,extraarticular avulsion; type 2,fracture with involvement of the incisura; type 3, fracture with impaction of the anterolateral plafond. His answers were used as a comparison parameter. Three foot and ankle surgeons assessed the radiographs and described if the TCF was present (yes/no). If present, they classified the TCF by subtype. The sensitivity(Sn), specificity(Sp), positive predictive value(PPV), and negative predictive value(NPV) of the radiographs for detecting TCF were calculated. Fleiss's Kappa coefficient measured the interobserver agreement for each subtype. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: 1134 acute ankle fractures were initially evaluated, of which 481 met the eligibility criteria. The prevalence of TCF was 17.3% (83/481), with 37 (44.6%) type 1, 37 (44.6%) type 2, and 9 (10.8%) type 3. Using radiographs, the overall Sn, Sp, PPV, and NPV for the diagnosis of TCF were 50.2% (95% CI 45.8-54.6), 69.9% (95% CI 65.9-73.9), 62.5% (95% CI 58.3-66.8%), and 58.4% (95% CI 54.1-62.7), respectively. There was disagreement between surgeons using X-rays and the radiologist under CT scan for all subtypes (type 1: κ -0.54, type 2: -0.31, type 3: -0.27, p< 0.001). Under CT scan, the global interobserver agreement was moderate for the TCF classification (κ 0.62) and its subtypes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ankle radiographs have low diagnostic accuracy for TCF in adults. Therefore, a CT scan should be routinely used when a TCF is suspected.
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spelling doaj-art-91c7d0d452da40b496d598a832f5c7c32025-08-20T02:31:34ZengSAGE PublishingFoot & Ankle Orthopaedics2473-01142024-12-01910.1177/2473011424S00214Comparison of X-ray and Computed Tomography Scan in the Diagnosis and Classification of Tillaux-Chaput Fractures in AdultsJafet Massri-Pugin MDGabriel Matamoros MDSergio Morales MD, MScMaría Jesús Lira MScPablo Mery MDGonzalo Díaz MDJorge Filippi MD, MBACategory: Trauma; Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Anterolateral distal tibial fractures, also known as Tillaux-Chaput fractures (TCF), have slowly gained attention, considering the risk of chronic pain and osteoarthritis if not appropriately managed. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of ankle radiographs in diagnosing and classifying TCF with computed tomography (CT) scans in the adult population. Methods: A retrospective review of ankle fractures evaluated at a single institution between 2013-2023 was performed. Inclusion criteria were patients aged >18 years and evaluation with ankle radiographs and CT scan. Exclusion criteria were distal tibial/pilon fractures,or prior ankle surgery. A matching 1:2 was performed on patients with and without TCF. A radiologist evaluated the TCF under CT scan and classified the fractures according to Rammelt’s classification: type 1,extraarticular avulsion; type 2,fracture with involvement of the incisura; type 3, fracture with impaction of the anterolateral plafond. His answers were used as a comparison parameter. Three foot and ankle surgeons assessed the radiographs and described if the TCF was present (yes/no). If present, they classified the TCF by subtype. The sensitivity(Sn), specificity(Sp), positive predictive value(PPV), and negative predictive value(NPV) of the radiographs for detecting TCF were calculated. Fleiss's Kappa coefficient measured the interobserver agreement for each subtype. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: 1134 acute ankle fractures were initially evaluated, of which 481 met the eligibility criteria. The prevalence of TCF was 17.3% (83/481), with 37 (44.6%) type 1, 37 (44.6%) type 2, and 9 (10.8%) type 3. Using radiographs, the overall Sn, Sp, PPV, and NPV for the diagnosis of TCF were 50.2% (95% CI 45.8-54.6), 69.9% (95% CI 65.9-73.9), 62.5% (95% CI 58.3-66.8%), and 58.4% (95% CI 54.1-62.7), respectively. There was disagreement between surgeons using X-rays and the radiologist under CT scan for all subtypes (type 1: κ -0.54, type 2: -0.31, type 3: -0.27, p< 0.001). Under CT scan, the global interobserver agreement was moderate for the TCF classification (κ 0.62) and its subtypes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that ankle radiographs have low diagnostic accuracy for TCF in adults. Therefore, a CT scan should be routinely used when a TCF is suspected.https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011424S00214
spellingShingle Jafet Massri-Pugin MD
Gabriel Matamoros MD
Sergio Morales MD, MSc
María Jesús Lira MSc
Pablo Mery MD
Gonzalo Díaz MD
Jorge Filippi MD, MBA
Comparison of X-ray and Computed Tomography Scan in the Diagnosis and Classification of Tillaux-Chaput Fractures in Adults
Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics
title Comparison of X-ray and Computed Tomography Scan in the Diagnosis and Classification of Tillaux-Chaput Fractures in Adults
title_full Comparison of X-ray and Computed Tomography Scan in the Diagnosis and Classification of Tillaux-Chaput Fractures in Adults
title_fullStr Comparison of X-ray and Computed Tomography Scan in the Diagnosis and Classification of Tillaux-Chaput Fractures in Adults
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of X-ray and Computed Tomography Scan in the Diagnosis and Classification of Tillaux-Chaput Fractures in Adults
title_short Comparison of X-ray and Computed Tomography Scan in the Diagnosis and Classification of Tillaux-Chaput Fractures in Adults
title_sort comparison of x ray and computed tomography scan in the diagnosis and classification of tillaux chaput fractures in adults
url https://doi.org/10.1177/2473011424S00214
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