Background: Vascular calcification is a frequent consequence of ageing and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed to compare two rapid scoring systems for quantifying calcification of the distal abdominal aorta and iliac arteries and to investigate correlations with increasing age. Methods: Patients aged ≥65 years who sustained pelvic trauma between 2003 and 2023 and underwent computed tomography (CT) were included in this retrospective study. Patients were categorised into three age groups (65–74, 75–84, ≥85). The abdominal aorta calcification score (AACS) and the common, external, and total iliac artery calcification scores (CIACS, EIACS, TIACS) were assessed on cross-sectional images and classified into three severity grades (mild, moderate, severe). Results: A total of 224 patients (mean age 78.8 ± 8.5 years; 62% female) were included. Significant differences between age groups were identified for hypertension (p < 0.001), osteoporosis (p < 0.001), atrial fibrillation (p = 0.015), chronic heart failure (p = 0.004), chronic kidney disease (p < 0.001), neurocognitive disorders (p < 0.001), and anticoagulant therapy (p = 0.002). Calcification severity increased with age across all vascular territories (EIACS p = 0.006; others p < 0.001). In multivariable linear regression, age remained the strongest adjusted predictor of calcification across all vascular regions (β = 0.323–0.376, all p < 0.001). Significant positive correlations were found between aortic and iliac calcifications (all p < 0.001), strongest between AACS and CIACS (ρ = 0.78, CI 0.719–0.835) and TIACS (ρ = 0.745, CI 0.676–0.807). Corresponding categorical associations were most pronounced between AACS and CIACS. Conclusions: The evaluated calcification scores were strongly correlated and demonstrated clear age-dependent trends. Given their simplicity and applicability to routine CT imaging, these methods may provide practical tools for assessing vascular ageing.

Introduction: Comparative data on fixation techniques for associated both-column (ABC) acetabular fractures are scarce. Compared with both column plating (AP + PP) via a combined anterior–posterior approach, single column plate plus other column lag screw fixation obviates the need for a second surgical approach. In this study, we (1) developed a clinically relevant ABC fracture model and (2) biomechanically compared the fixation strength of single column plate plus other column lag screw fixation and both column plating. Materials and methods: An ABC fracture model was created using fourth-generation composite hemipelves. Three different ABC fracture fixation techniques were biomechanically compared: (1) anterior column plate plus posterior column screw fixation (AP + PCS), posterior column plate plus anterior column screw fixation (PP + ACS), and anterior column plate plus posterior column plate fixation (AP + PP). Both single-leg stance (SLS) and sit-to-stand (STS) loading protocols were applied (loads from 50 to 750 N, ramp: 100 N/s). Fracture gap motion (FGM) and relative interfragmentary rotation (RIFR) between the four main fracture fragments were analysed at 750 N using an optical 3D measurement system. Results: Single column plate plus other column lag screw fixation techniques (AP + PCS and PP + ACS) provided comparable fixation strength to AP + PP, as evidenced by similar or even lower FGM and RIFR values. Moreover, no significant differences in FGM and RIFR were found between AP + PCS and PP + ACS. Compared to SLS loading, STS loading resulted in higher mean FGM and RIFR between the posterior iliac wing and the posterior column fragment across all fixation techniques. Conclusions: In our ABC fracture model, both column plate fixation (AP + PP) via a combined approach did not demonstrate superior biomechanical stability compared with single column plate plus other column lag screw fixation. The latter, however, requires only one approach, thereby reducing surgical time and approach-related morbidity, and appears preferable if reduction of both columns is achievable through a single approach.