Epidemiologic features and management of elbow dislocation with associated fracture in pediatric population

Traumatic Irreducible Pediatric Radial Head Dislocations: A Unique Case and Review of the Literature

Background

Irreducible radial head dislocations are uncommon injuries and blocks to reduction typically result from interposed soft tissue. We report the case of a pediatric patient who sustained an irreducible radial head dislocation with a concomitant posterior elbow dislocation and coronoid process fracture. To the author's knowledge, irreducible radial head dislocations presenting as part of a terrible triad like constellation of injuries have not been previously reported. A case-based review of the literature was also performed.

Case Description

A 7-year-old male presents to our pediatric hospital as a transfer from an outside hospital after sustaining a posterolateral radial head and posterior elbow dislocation secondary to a fall. CT imaging and 3D reconstruction revealed a Type 1 coronoid process fracture. At our institution, closed attempts at reduction in the operating room under fluoroscopy with general anesthesia were also unsuccessful. Open reduction of the radial head and repair of the soft tissue structures was ultimately required to stabilize the patient's elbow injury.

Conclusion

Irreducible pediatric radial head dislocations are rare and inherently unstable injuries. To the authors' knowledge, there are no prior reports of irreducible radial head dislocations that present in a terrible triad like fashion with a coronoid process fracture and posterior elbow dislocation. In the present report, successful treatment of this injury required open reduction and soft tissue repair. Level of Evidence: IV.

Elbow dislocation with and without an associated fracture in children: A prospective study of functional outcomes following 3 weeks of immobilization

INTRODUCTION

The initial management of elbow dislocations in children, emergency reduction and brachial-antebrachial-palmar (BABP) immobilization, remains the most widely used method. Osteosynthesis could be associated in case of fractures. On the other hand, there is no consensus on the duration of immobilization in the recent literature. The objective of this study was to describe the medium-term functional results of a prospective cohort of children presenting with an elbow dislocation immobilized for 3 weeks, with or without an associated fracture. The hypothesis of this study was that 3 weeks of immobilization was sufficient and made it possible to obtain a satisfactory, rapid functional recovery without residual instability.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

All children with an elbow dislocation with or without an associated fracture were included. The dislocation was urgently reduced and subsequent surgery could be indicated in the event of associated injuries. All the children had 3 weeks of immobilization with a BABP cast. Radiological and clinical follow-up was carried out for 2 years. The parameters evaluated were: 3 functional scores and the range of motion (ROM) of the elbow. Clinical or radiological complications were sought.

RESULTS

A total of 50 children were included, the mean age was 10.6 years (± 2.6). Functional score results were "good' or "excellent' at 3 months of follow-up, "excellent' at 6 months and thereafter. The mean limitation in ROM at the last follow-up was 4.7° (± 7.2°) with all ranges combined. Eighty-two percent of children had a mean limitation in ROM of less than 10°. None of the children presented with a recurrence of elbow dislocation and instability.

CONCLUSION

Immobilization of elbow dislocations for 3 weeks in children confers good medium-term functional results without exposing them to the risk of instability, whether or not the dislocation is associated with a fracture.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II; Prospective cohort study.

A rare case of type 2 entrapment of the median nerve after posterior elbow dislocation with MRI and ultrasound correlation

A 9-year-old boy sustained an ulnohumeral dislocation with a medial epicondyle fracture and experienced incomplete post-traumatic median nerve palsy in addition to post-traumatic stiffness following closed reduction and cast immobilization. When his motor palsy and stiffness did not improve, MRI and ultrasound were obtained, which demonstrated entrapment of the median nerve in an osseous tunnel at the fracture site, compatible with type 2 median nerve entrapment. Subsequently, the patient underwent surgery to mobilize the medial epicondyle and free the median nerve, resulting in improved range of motion, near complete restoration of motor function, and complete restoration of sensory function in the median nerve distribution within 6 months of surgery. Median nerve entrapment, particularly intraosseous, is a rare complication of posterior elbow dislocation and medial epicondyle fracture that may result in significant, sometimes irreversible, nerve damage if there is a delay in diagnosis and treatment. A high degree of clinical suspicion with early imaging is indicated in patients with persistent stiffness or nerve deficits following reduction of an elbow dislocation. Intra-articular entrapment diagnosed on ultrasound has been reported and intraosseous entrapment diagnosed clinically and on MR neurography have been reported; however, to our knowledge, this is the first reported case of intraosseous (type 2) median nerve entrapment clearly visualized and diagnosed on traditional MRI and ultrasound. The use of ultrasound for diagnosing median nerve entrapment is an accurate, accessible, and non-invasive imaging option for patients presenting with suspected nerve entrapment following elbow dislocation.

[What do orthopedic and trauma surgeons expect from radiologists when interpreting imaging of the elbow?]

CLINICAL ISSUE

The elbow is a complex joint with a multitude of acute and chronic pathologies. In addition to the clinical examination, radiological diagnostics play a decisive role in the further therapeutic management.

DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP/PERFORMANCE

While acute traumatic injuries often present with obvious structural changes and the need for rapid treatment decisions, chronic processes can present with less evident alterations. Especially in these cases there is a need for clear communication between the treating physician and the radiologist with respect to managing optimal imaging as the basis for a certain diagnosis and therefore optimal treatment. Basic prerequisites on both sides are detailed knowledge of all elbow pathologies, classifications and the spectrum of radiological diagnostic imaging.

ACHIEVEMENTS/PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS

From the point of view of orthopedic surgeons the radiologist is responsible for the correct performance and interpretation of the necessary imaging procedures. The aim of this article is to give an overview of important aspects in the imaging of typical orthopedic/traumatic pathologies.