Abstract
Distal humeral physeal injuries, in particular, fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis, can be seen in abused infants. Detection of physeal injury in an infant or toddler may indicate the possibility of unsuspected abuse, particularly when an appropriate history explaining the circumstance of the fracture is lacking. In addition, the extent of injury can be difficult to characterize on plain radiographs. Ultrasonography (US) and MR imaging (MRI) may be of value in diagnosis and may obviate the need for intraoperative arthrography. We present MRI findings in three abused children with distal humeral physeal injuries. Sonographic correlation is alos presented in one case.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Rogers LF, Rockwood CA Jr (1973) Separation of the entire distal humeral epiphysis. Radiology 106:393
DeLee JC, Wilkins KE, Rogers LF, Rockwood CA (1980) Fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 62:46
Holda ME, Manoli A, LaMont RL (1980) Epiphyseal separation of the distal end of the humerus with medial displacement. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 62:52
Markowitz RI, Davidson RS, Harty MP, Bellah RD, Hubbard AM, Rosenberg HK (1992) Sonography of the elbow in infants and children. Pictorial essay. AJR 158:829
Dias JJ, Lamont AC, Jones JM (1988) Ultrasonic diangosis of neonatal separation of the distal humeral epiphysis. J Bone Joint Surg [Br] 70:825
Davidson RS, Markowitz RI, Dormans J, Drummond DS (1994) Ultrasonographic evaluation of the elbow in infants and young children after suspected trauma. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 76:1804
Jaramillo D, Hoffer FA, Shapiro F, Rand F (1990) MR imaging of fractures of the growth plate. AJR 155:1261
Beltran J, Rosenberg ZS, Kawelblum M, Montes L, Bergman AG, Strongwater A (1994) Pediatric elbow fractures: MRI evaluation. Skeletal Radiol 23:277
Rogers LF, Poznanski AK (1994) Imaging of epiphyseal injuries. Radiology 191:297
Kleinman PK (1987) Extremity trauma. In: Kleiman PK, Diagnostic imaging of child abuse. Williams & Wilkins. Baltimore, pp 53–59
Merten DF, Kirks DR, Ruderman RJ (1981) Occult humeral epiphyseal fracture in battered infants. Pediatr Radiol 10:151
Yates C, Sullivan JA (1987) Arthrographic diagnosis of elbow injuries in children. J Pediatr Orthop 7:54
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Nimkin, K., Kleinman, P.K., Teeger, S. et al. Distal humeral physeal injuries in child abuse: MR imaging and ultrasonography findings. Pediatr Radiol 25, 562–565 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02015796
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02015796