Clinical value of MRI in evaluating and diagnosing of humeral lateral condyle fracture in children

Background Humeral lateral condyle fractures (HLCFs) are common paediatric fractures. Radiographs are hard to accurately evaluate and diagnose the damage of articular epiphyseal cartilage in HLCFs. Methods 60 children who should be suspected to be HLCFs in clinical practice from Dec 2015 to Nov 2017 were continuously included as the first part patients. Subsequently, 35 HLCFs patients with complete follow-up information who had no obvious displacement on radiograph were the second part patients. The sensitivity and specificity of radiograph and MRI in diagnosing of HLCFs and their stability were calculated respectively. Calculated the sensitivity and specificity of each scan sequence of MRI in diagnosing of HLCFs osteochondral fractures. The degree of fracture displacement was measured respectively. Compared the ratio of surgical treatment, secondary fracture displacement and complications between the stable fracture group and the unstable fracture group on MRI in part 2 patients. Results Sensitivity of diagnosing HLCFs by MRI was significantly higher than radiograph (100.00% vs. 89.09%, P = 0.03). Sensitivity of diagnosing integrity of trochlear cartilage chain by MRI was 96.30%, which was significantly higher than that by radiograph (62.96%, P < 0.01). The sensitivity of cartilage sensitive sequence (3D-FS-FSPGR/3D-FSPGR) was different with FS-PDWI and FS-T2WI (P = 0.01 and P = 0.02, respectively). The degree of HLCFs displacement by MRI was higher than radiograph (P < 0.05). In the unstable fracture group, 5 cases (45.45%) had a fracture displacement of more than 2 mm on MRI, which was significantly higher than that in stable fracture group (0.00%, P < 0.01). Conclusions MRI is superior to the radiograph of elbow joint in evaluating and diagnosing children HLCFs and their stability. The coronal 3D-FS-FSPGR/3D-FSPGR sequence is a significant sequence for diagnosing osteochondral fractures in HLCFs. MRI can provide important clinical value for treatment decisions of HLCFs without significant displacement.

Management of lateral condyle fractures of the humerus in children

Lateral condyle fracture of the humerus is the second most common paediatric elbow fracture and is often missed, which can result in severe consequences including malunion, growth arrest and tardy ulnar nerve palsy. The difficulty in managing this fracture stems from a lack of awareness and the often subtle findings on radiographs. Patients can also present with quite vague symptoms; clinicians who do not have a high index of suspicion may not investigate beyond the initial clinical assessment and could miss vital cues. This article provides a guide to managing this common paediatric fracture, from initial presentation to definitive treatment, and discusses the complications that can ensue if managed incorrectly.

Complications of Lateral Humeral Condyle Fractures in Children

Lateral humeral condyle fractures in children are easily missed and often associated with complications. These complications include malunion, delayed union or nonunion, lateral spur formation, fishtail deformity and growth disturbances. There is also controversy related to best treatment options including closed vs open reduction and K-wire vs screw fixation. Though some complications like malunion are avoidable, others like lateral spur formation are inevitable. Knowledge about these complications would help in counseling patients and their families. The purpose of this article was to review common complications related to these fractures and suggest tips to avoid some of them. Keywords: Paediatric, Lateral condyle fracture, Internal oblique X-ray, Arthrogram, Anatomical reduction, Complications, Tips to overcome

ABCD of Lateral Condyle Humerus Fracture in Children: Anatomy, Biomechanics, Classification and Diagnosis

The lateral condyle fractures which form less than 20% of paediatric elbow fractures are seen at average 6 years age and have less severity of signs and symptoms which may lead to delayed diagnosis. Internal rotation view of X-ray of elbow is important in addition to standard AP and Lateral views. Jakob, Weiss and Song are commonly used classification systems in decision making. Keywords: Lateral condyle fracture, Children, Classification, Anatomy, Diagnosis.

Paediatric lateral condyle fracture with a posterolateral elbow dislocation: an atypical injury in a preadolescent

Paediatric lateral condyle fractures of the distal humerus are common but a concomitant elbow dislocation is rare. Typically, paediatric orthopaedic surgeons will treat lateral condyle fractures with pin or metaphyseal single-screw fixation and supplementary immobilisation for several weeks. These techniques sacrifice the early stability and mobilisation necessary to avoid stiffness after a complex elbow fracture-dislocation. We present an 11-year-old boy who sustained a traumatic posterolateral elbow dislocation with lateral condyle and coronoid fractures. Due to advanced skeletal age, both paediatric and adult treatment principles were applied to this rare injury. After initial closed reduction, open reduction and internal fixation of the distal humerus lateral condyle with divergent partially threaded compression screws was performed. Motion was initiated in 2 weeks and the patient regained almost full motion by 3 months. At 1.5-year follow-up, the affected limb carrying angle was unaffected and the patient had no functional limitations.