Three-dimensional computed tomography imaging increases the reliability of classification systems for tibial plateau fractures.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether three-dimensional reconstructed computed tomography (CT) images can improve intra-observer and inter-observer reliability for classification systems of tibial plateau fractures compared to plain radiographs and two-dimensional CT images.

Methods: Twenty-one tibial plateau fractures were classified independently by four attending orthopaedic trauma surgeons using the AO/ASIF and Schatzker classification systems. First, a combination of plain radiographs and two-dimensional (2D) CT images were evaluated.

[A model of lumbar disc degeneration on the early stage in rhesus monkey with minimally invasive technique].

Objective: To establish a novel model of lumbar disc degeneration on the early stage in the rhesus monkey using percutaneous needle puncture guided by CT.

Methods: (1) Thirteen rhesus monkeys aged from 4 to 7 years, female 7 and male 6 were selected for establishing a model of the early stage of lumbar disc degeneration. (2)13 monkeys, 91 discs were divided into 3 groups: 64 discs from L1/2 to L5/6 were percutaneous punctured with a needle 20G as experimental group and 1 disc with a needle 15G as puncture control group and 26 discs were not be punctured from L6,7 to L7-S1 as control group.