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
-
indications
suspicion of bony injury
suspicion of elbow (or radial head) dislocation
elbow pain
-
procedure
AP and lateral views of the elbow
a Coyle's view may be performed upon suspicion of a radial head fracture
-
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
-
-
similar tests
-
used specifically for humeral pathology
-
only used for specific forearm injury
-
-
important pathology
supracondylar fracture (children)