Presentation
Previously healthy female status post slip and backwards fall in shower onto elbow
Patient Data
Additional views could not be obtained due to pain. There is a moderately comminuted and displaced intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus with separation of the fracture fragments. Dislocation strongly suspected on this single view exam.
Limited follow up imaging due to pain. Much improved alignment and approximation of fracture fragments at the comminuted intra-articular fracture of the distal humerus now status reduction. Mild diffuse soft tissue swelling around the distal arm. The bone density is normal.
Case Discussion
This is a patient with a comminuted distal humerus fracture with separation and angulation of the fragments. This case emphasizes the importance of multiple views for intra-articular fractures involving the joints. In our case, the integrity of the elbow joint could not be adequately assessed. The patient underwent closed reduction with good alignment and approximation of fracture fragments.
This case was submitted with supervision and input from:
Soni C. Chawla, M.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Radiological Sciences
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Olive View - UCLA Medical Center
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