This document discusses pelvic ring fractures, including their epidemiology, anatomy, imaging, and classification. It notes that pelvic fractures are usually due to high-impact trauma and have a 10% overall mortality rate. The pelvis has both anterior and posterior ligamentous supports. Imaging includes x-rays, CT scans, and arteriograms. Several classification systems are described for categorizing fracture patterns based on injury mechanism, including the Young-Burgess system which divides fractures into lateral compression, anteroposterior compression, and vertical shear patterns. The classification helps determine treatment and prognosis, with anteroposterior compression type 3 and vertical shear fractures having the highest transfusion requirements.

1. Jatinder S. Luthra
Anatomy, Radiographic
evaluation &
Classification of Pelvic
Ring Fractures

2. Pelvic Fractures: Epidemiology
Majority due to high impact blunt trauma
(MVA, pedestrian vs. vehicle etc.) but also
secondary to falls in frail elderly
 Mortality overall = 10%
 Mortality 50% if open #

3. Pelvic Anatomy
 Pelvis = sacrum, coccyx
+ 2 innominate bones
 Innominate bones =
ilium, ischium, pubis
 Sacrum + innominate
bones form a ring
 Strength from
ligamentous supports
(largely posterior aspect
of ring)

4. Pelvic Anatomy
 5 joints:
 Lumbosacral
 Sacroiliac (x2)
 Sacrococcygeal
 Symphysis

5.  Anterior Support:
– Symphysis pubis
 Fibrocartilaginous joint
covered by ant & post
symphyseal ligaments
– Pubic rami
 Posterior Support:
– ~majority of stability
 Iliolumbar ligaments
 Sacroiliac ligaments
 Sacrospinous ligament
 Sacrotuberous ligament

6. Vascular Anatomy
 Vessels lie close
to posterior
pelvic walls
 Venous bleeding
most common
(sacral plexus)
 Most commonly
injured arteries
are superior
gluteal and
internal pudendal

7. Pelvic Anatomy
 Nerve supply through the pelvis derived
from lumbar and sacral plexuses
 Other structures: lower GI/GU

9. Imaging – X- rays
 X Rays Pelvis AP – part of ATLS protocol

10. Imaging – X- rays
 AP VIEW:
-Identifies most fractures
-Look for disruption in iliopubic and ilioischial lines,
sacral foramina, radiographic U, Shenton’s Lines
 Inlet and outlet views
 Judet Views

11. AP Pelvis Radiogram
Acetabular fracture
Posterior Pelvic lesion

12. S2

13. Imaging
 Look for any evidence of damage to the
posterior pelvic structures
– Clues on X-rays:
 L5 transverse process avulsion (iliolumbar
ligament)
 Ischial spine avulsion (sacrospinous ligament)
 Unable to clearly make out sacral foramina
 Assymmetry of sacral foramina
 Avulsion at lower lip of lateral sacrum
(sacrotuberous ligament)

14.  Inlet view
– X-ray beam at 40o to
plate directed towards
feet
 Sacral Promontry
should overlap
anterior border of S1

15.  Posterior
displacement
 Rotational deformity
 Subtle SI joint injury
 Sacral Ala fracture

16. Outlet View
 Outlet view
– Beam aimed 30o
towards head
– Superior border of
symphysis at level S2

17. Outlet View
 Vertical displacement
 Sacral foramina
 Flexion deformity

18. CT scan
 Detailed information
of posterior lesion
 Sacral Foramina
 Subtle sacral
impaction.
 Rotation of hemipelvis
 Associated Lesions
 Dysmorphysisum

19. Radiological criteria of instability

20.  Displacement instead of
impaction in posterior pelvis

22. Attention
 Stationary pelvic radiogram do not reflect true pathology
 Apparently stable patient should undergo Examination
under anaesthesia
 Push Pull film under anaesthesia
> 1cm is unstable
 Contraindicated – Zone 2/3 sacral fracture
Haemodynamically unstable

23. Arteriogram
Patients with pelvic fracture – persistent bleeding despite External stabilization
ICE – intravenous
contrast extravasation

24. -Gross haematuria
-- Bloody urethral discharge
-Inability to void
-- swelling / echymosis in perineal region
-High riding prostate

25. Pelvic Fractures
 5 General Categories:
 1. Pelvic Ring
 2. Acetabular
 3. Sacral
 4. Avulsion type
 5. Single bone

26. Pelvic fracture classification
Bucholz classification
– JBJS 1981
Type1 - stable
Type II- Open Book
Type III – Rotaionally and
vertically unstable

27. Pelvic fracture classification
Letournal
Classification

28. Pelvic Ring Fractures
Young Classification System:
 Differentiates fracture patterns based on
mechanism of injury/direction of causative
force
 3 major fracture patterns:
 1. lateral compression (50%)
 2. antero-posterior compression (25%)
 3. vertical shear (5%)

29. Pelvic fracture classification
 Young & Burgess
Classification
 Modification of tile –
Based on mech of inj.

30. Young & Burgess
Anteroposterior compression fracture
 External rotation force
 Neurovascular structures stretched.
 Symphyseal diastasis / Vertical fracture
pubic ramus

31. Young & Burgess
Anteroposterior compression fracture - I

32. Young & Burgess
Anteroposterior compression fracture - II

33. Young APC II

34. Young & Burgess
Anteroposterior compression fracture - III

36. Young & Burgess
LATERAL COMPRESSION - I

37. Young & Burgess
LATERAL COMPRESSION - II
CRESCENT FRACTURE

38. Young & Burgess
LATERAL COMPRESSION – III

39. Young & Burgess
VERTICAL SHEAR

40. Tile C1/ Young VS

41. Young & Burgess
COMBINED MECHANISM

42. Summary
 Classification system - - Assist surgeon in
determining treatment and prognosis
Young & Burgess –
 - Fluid resuscitation reqd
 - Solid organ injury
 Need for acute stabilization
 Pt. survival
APC type 3 & VS
injury – highest
transfusion reqd.

43. THANK YOU