This is a basic article for medical students and other non-radiologists
An elbow series is the standard series of radiographs that are performed when looking for evidence of fracture, dislocation or elbow joint effusion following trauma.
Reference article
This is a summary article. For more information, you can read more in-depth reference articles: elbow series (adults), elbow series (pediatrics).
Summary
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indications
- suspicion of bony injury
- suspicion of elbow (or radial head) dislocation
- elbow pain
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procedure
- AP and lateral views of the elbow
- a Coyle's view may be performed upon suspicion of a radial head fracture
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anatomy
- bones
- proximal radius including radial head and radial neck
- proximal ulna including olecranon and coronoid process
- distal humerus including humeral condyles
- joints
- radiocapitellar joint
- trochlear joint (humeroulnar joint)
- proximal radioulnar joint
- bones
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similar tests
-
humerus series
- used specifically for humeral pathology
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forearm series
- only used for specific forearm injury
-
humerus series
-
important pathology
- proximal radial fracture
- supracondylar fracture (children)