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The toddler's cuboid fracture
1Department of Radiology, Minneapolis Children's Medical Center, MN 55404.
Insights
Cuboid fractures in toddlers are often missed on initial X-rays after a fall. Early bone scans can reveal these subtle injuries, confirmed by later X-ray changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Pediatric Radiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Cuboid fractures are rare in toddlers.
- These injuries often present with difficulty bearing weight after a fall.
- Initial diagnostic imaging can be inconclusive.
Abstract:
The authors describe two proved and two presumed cases of cuboid fractures in toddlers. These children were seen because of their inability to bear weight on the affected foot following a fall. Initial radiographs were normal; however, early scintigraphy revealed focal uptake in the cuboid. Follow-up radiographs demonstrated characteristic sclerosis of the base of the cuboid. Cuboid fractures are another example of a toddler's injury that may be difficult to diagnose at initial physical and radiographic examination.