Variability of Elbow Radiography in the Injured Child: A Potential Diagnostic Dilemma

Radiographic imaging is essential in assessing the severity and treatment of injuries. However, when a radiographic series is of poor quality, its diagnostic utility is limited, especially in cases involving pediatric elbow injuries.

This study aims to investigate the variability of elbow radiographs in the injured child, review parameters used to assess diagnostic quality, and introduce the lateral distal humeral metaphyseal-diaphyseal (LDHMD) ratio as a potential measurement of the quality of a lateral elbow radiograph.

A retrospective review was performed of elbow radiographs of children who presented to our hospital. Demographic data, injury, location where the radiograph was obtained, and presence of immobilization were collected. Radiographs were subjectively classified as optimal, adequate, or suboptimal based on several radiographic parameters, one of which was the LDHMD ratio.

There were 286 radiographic series reviewed. Per our assessment of the anteroposterior images, 81% were found to be optimal, 18% adequate, and 1% suboptimal. In contrast, only 24% of the lateral images were deemed optimal, 63% adequate, and 13% suboptimal, therefore making the lateral radiographs the focus of our investigation. The LDHMD ratios of the optimal (n = 21) and suboptimal (n = 11) lateral radiographs without definite fracture were 0.96 and 0.84, respectively (p < 0.001).

An LDHMD ratio that is approximately 1 and an hourglass sign appearing in the anterior third of the humerus are criteria for determining true pediatric lateral radiograph, and with increased awareness, will lead to improved diagnostic utility of radiographs when assessing the injured child's elbow and determining management.