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Case: Capitellum Fracture

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Here's a person who has left elbow pain after trauma.

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We have two projections of the left elbow

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on the frontal projection.

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We try to follow the smooth contour of the distal humerus,

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and here along the medial aspect, it appears

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as if we have a double density.

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The radial head appears in appropriate location.

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The only humeral articulation is well visualized.

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Now, when we go to our lateral projection, we can identify

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displaced fat pads, both a posterior fat pad

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identified here, as well as an anterior fat pad.

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And as we look at the distal aspect of the humerus,

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we don't see a normal contour of the Capella.

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We see this rounded fragment here.

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And if we were to consider the Capella shape, it appears

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as if it's now been rotated

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and we see the articular surface is pointing up

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and not articulating with the radial head.

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All no numeral articulation is maintained,

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and so what this case represents is a Capella fracture.

Report

Faculty

John A Carrino, MD, MPH

Vice-Chairman, Radiology and Imaging

Hospital for Special Surgery

Tags

X-Ray (Plain Films)

Trauma

Musculoskeletal (MSK)

Emergency

Elbow & Forearm