The elbow X-ray

Trauma MRCEM syllabus

  1. Check for ossification centres

alignment

  1. anterior humeral line
    1. line from humerus should intersect middle 1/3 of capitellum
    2. if not, suspect Supracondylar fractures of the humerus
  2. radiocapitellar line
    1. line from radial neck should intersect capitellum
    2. if not, suspect radial head dislocation

effusion

  • posterior fat pad is always pathological
    • in a child: supracondylar fracture? intra-articular fracture?
    • in an adult: radial neck fracture?

bony cortex

  • commonly injured sites: distal humerus, radial neck

#trauma #anatomy-upper-limb

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/paediatric-elbow-radiograph-an-approach-1?lang=gb
https://dontforgetthebubbles.com/elbow-xr-interpretation/

Elbow injury
Upper limb injury and nerve injuries
Supracondylar fractures of the humerus