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Pediatric olecranon fracture - subtle

Case contributed by Bálint Botz
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Sustained a fall.

Patient Data

Age: 3

A subtle hairline fracture is visible in the lateral view, reaching the articular surface of the olecranon. In the AP radiograph the fracture is visible as irregular cortical buckling on the radial aspect of the bone. Both the ventral and dorsal fat pad signs are positive, indicating joint effusion.

Annotated images

Annotated image

Arrowheads highlight the positive fat pad signs, the arrows point at the olecranon fracture. 

Case Discussion

Subtle and relatively uncommon form of olecranon fracture - whereas the associated elbow joint effusion is more obvious, and thus alerts the reader to the high likelihood of intraarticular fracture. 

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