Procrustes analysis of a shape of pediatric supracondylar humerus fractures

Shape of supracondylar fracture of the humeral of pediatric patients is analysed with Procrustes method. XR-images of fractures are considered both in anterio-posterior (AP) view and in a lateral (L) view. Applying Procrustes method for both views mean images are constructed and compared. Variability of shapes is quantified with a shape principal component analysis. Possibility of predictions of typical shape of humeral fracture and its variability using statistical shape analysis offers additional information on injury characteristics important in preoperative planning. Non-parametric tests (permutational and bootstrap) do not indicate statistical difference between Procrustes mean shapes in anterio-posterior and lateral projections. It is shown, however, that AP and L shapes of humeral fractures differ in their variability quantified by shape principal components.