Comparison of Low Dose Computed Tomography to Conventional Dose Computed Tomography in the Evaluation of Distal Radius Fractures

The purpose of this study is to compare the use of a conventional dose computed tomography scan (C-CT) to a low dose computed tomography scan (L-CT) in the assessment of articular displacement, and development of a treatment plan for intraarticular distal radius fractures in an effort to reduce the radiation exposure to future patients with this injury pattern. Reviewers will be tasked with reporting data aimed at investigating 3 primary outcome measures: 1) Are L-CT images of sufficient quality to be used for diagnostic purposes, 2) Can accurate measurements of step and gap displacement be made on L-CT images, 3) Do proposed treatment plans change with the use of L-CT relative to those chosen based on C-CT images We hypothesize that reviewers will find L-CT images of sufficient image quality for diagnostic purposes, measurements of step and gap displacement will not be significantly different between L-CT and C-CT, and no significant differences in treatment options will be chosen based on the use of L-CT rather than C-CT for the same fracture. The secondary aim will be to evaluate the interobserver and intraobserver reliability of L-CT in evaluating intraarticular fractures of the distal radius.