Objective: To characterize posterior malleolar fracture morphology using Cole fracture mapping and to study reliability of quantification of 3-dimensional computed tomography (CT)-modeling for posterior malleolar fractures with respect to quantification of fragment size (in cubic millimeter) and true articular involvement (in square millimeter).
Methods: CT scans of a consecutive series of 45 patients with an ankle fracture involving the posterior malleolus were reconstructed to calculate (1) fracture maps, (2) fragment volume, (3) articular surface of the posterior malleolar fragment, (4) articular surface of intact tibia, and (5) articular surface of the medial malleolus by 3 independent observers. Three-dimensional animation of this technique is shown on www.traumaplatform.org.
Results: Fracture mapping revealed (1) a continuous spectrum of posterolateral oriented fracture lines and (2) fragments with posterolateral to posteromedial oriented fracture lines extending into the medial malleolus. Reliability of measurements of the volume and articular surface of posterior malleolar fracture fragments was defined as almost perfect according to the categorical system of Landis (interclass coefficient, range, 0.978-1.000).
Conclusions: Mapping of posterior malleolar fractures revealed a continuous spectrum of Haraguchi III to I fractures and identified Haraguchi type II as a separate pattern. Quantification of 3-dimensional CT-modeling is reliable to assess fracture characteristics of posterior malleolar fracture fragments. Morphology might be more important than posterior malleolar fracture size alone for clinical decision making.