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Ultrasonography of pulled elbow
W Kosuwon1, B Mahaisavariya, S Saengnipanthkul
1Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, Srinakarind Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.
Summary
Ultrasonography can help diagnose pulled elbow in children by measuring the radiocapitellar distance (RCD). Affected elbows showed a significantly larger RCD compared to unaffected or normal elbows.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Background:
- Pulled elbow, also known as radial head subluxation, is a common pediatric injury.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management and preventing recurrent injuries.
- Traditional diagnostic methods may be subjective or require specialized training.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of ultrasonography in diagnosing pulled elbow in children.
- To compare radiocapitellar distance (RCD) measurements between affected, unaffected, and normal pediatric elbows.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasonography was performed on ten children diagnosed with pulled elbow.
- Radiocapitellar distance (RCD) was measured on both affected and unaffected sides.
- Measurements were also taken from a control group of ten age-matched healthy children.
Main Results:
- The mean RCD in pronation was significantly greater in affected elbows (7.2 mm ± 0.7) compared to unaffected elbows (3.8 mm ± 0.5) in children with pulled elbow (p < 0.0001).
- The mean RCD in pronation for normal children was 4.5 mm ± 0.5.
- These findings indicate a clear sonographic difference in RCD between injured and healthy pediatric elbows.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasonography is a valuable tool for objectively documenting pulled elbow in children.
- The radiocapitellar distance measured via ultrasound can aid in the diagnosis of this common pediatric injury.
- This imaging modality offers a reliable method for assessing radial head subluxation.