Posterolateral elbow dislocation with entrapment of the medial epicondyle in children: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Elbow dislocations in children are uncommon injuries. Dislocations with associated fractures or so-called complex dislocations of the elbow can be challenging to diagnose and treat.

Case presentation: A 14-year-old male had a posterolateral elbow dislocation after a fall. Closed reduction with traction was performed. Radiographs after initial reduction showed a fragment entrapped into the humero-cubital joint. Computerized tomography scan showed the fragment belonging to the medial epicondyle. Open reduction and internal fixation with a 3.0 millimeter cannulated screw was performed, with restoring of the normal function of the elbow at final follow up.

Conclusion: Elbow dislocations in children can be associated with bone lesions. These injuries must be suspected to avoid misleading diagnosis and achieve good results.

Figure 1.

Radiographs showing a posterolateral dislocation of the elbow. (A) Anteroposterior view. (B) Lateral view.

Figure 2.

Radiographs performed after closed reduction. (A) Anteroposterior view showing incongruity of the elbow joint. (B) Lateral view. A bone fragment is clearly identified into the joint.

Figure 3.

CT scan images. (A) Intraarticular fragment located into the humerocubital joint. (B) 3D reconstruction image. The fragment belonged to the medial epicondyle.

Figure 4.

Intraoperative images after reconstruction. (A) Anteroposterior view. (B) Lateral view.