Application of Computed Tomography Processed by Picture Archiving and Communication Systems in the Diagnosis of Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture

Abstract

The applications of CT examination in the diagnosis of the acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) were investigated. A total of 36 patients with suspected acute Achilles tendon rupture were tested using physical examination, ultrasound, and 3DCT scanning, respectively. Then, surgery was performed for the patients who showed positive result in at least two of the three tests for AATR. 3DVR, MPR, and the other CT scan image processing and diagnosis were conducted in PACS (picture archiving and communication system). PACS was also used to measure the length of distal broken ends of the Achilles tendon (AT) to tendon calcaneal insertion. Our study indicated that CT has the highest accuracy in diagnosis of acute Achilles tendon complete rupture. The length measurement is matched between PACS and those actually measured in operation. CT not only demonstrates more details directly in three dimensions especially with the rupture involved calcaneal insertion flap but also locates the rupture region for percutaneous suture by measuring the length of distal stump in PACS without the effect of the position of ankle. The accuracy of CT diagnosis for Achilles tendon partial rupture is yet to be studied.

Achilles tendon rupture

“…9,10 Computed tomography (CT) has been reported to have high accuracy for diagnosis of complete ATR; however, accuracy for diagnosis of partial ATR has not been reported. 11 High-resolution peripheral quantitative CT testing is comparable to ultrasound and may further investigate bonetendon interactions. 12 ■ Treatment Tissue repair of the Achilles tendon takes longer than other tendon injuries.…”

Image Quality and Dose Comparison of Single-Energy CT (SECT) and Dual-Energy CT (DECT)

“…been extensively used in most of large-scale hospitals to obtain and store archived images from medical imaging modalities (including CT, MR, CR, DX, and any other DICOM devices, except US) and dispense them to DICOM devices [26,27]. DICOM data saved in PACS servers will not deform images.…”

“…DICOM data saved in PACS servers will not deform images. e images can be stored for long periods of time and can be recovered anytime in any computer where PACS client has been set up and also surgeons trained in a few hours can process DICOM by PACS like radiologists and are able to get more beneficial information [26]. ere are no differences in the display of dual-energy CT images and all the steps are similar to other CT modalities.…”