Imaging findings at the donor site after iliac crest bone harvesting

Postoperative imaging after iliac crest bone harvesting is commonly performed, but has not been extensively reported in the literature. The objective of this analysis was to investigate the donor site after iliac crest graft harvesting. Between January and December 2008, 3,450 patients underwent CT, which included the pelvis. Eighty-four patients were found whose iliac crests were harvested. The patient population consisted of 47 male and 37 female subjects ranging from 10 to 80 years old (mean 52.6 years) at the time of iliac bone harvesting. With the inclusion of prior examinations, 188 CT examinations, 17 MR imaging studies, and 19 bone scintigrams were analyzed at various time points after surgery. Computed tomography images demonstrated fluid collections, hematoma, and air at the donor site up to 1 month after bone harvesting. The air then disappeared. Fluid collection decreased in size by 4 months. Scar-like changes at the harvest site and irregular thick cortical bone were observed after 4 months. Later, CT and MR imaging demonstrated small scar-like lesions and cortical irregularities. The appearance of harvest site abnormalities depends on the time elapsed after surgery.