Radiocapitellar line

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis not applicable
Annotated image

The radiocapitellar line (drawn in red) is intersecting the middle of the capitellum (painted in yellow) in both frontal and lateral projections.

Case Discussion

The radiocapitellar line is useful to assess the alignment on the elbow radiographs. The line is drawn by extending a line along the axis of the radial neck towards the capitellum. The line should normally intersect the center of the capitellum.

If the radiocapitellar line does not intersect the center of the capitellum, there may be a radial head dislocation.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.