Radial head fracture - Fat pads - Lateral
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Radial head fracture - Fat pads - Lateral
- This is the commonest elbow fracture in adults
- The fracture line is not visible on the lateral view in this case
- The effusion - indicated by raised fat pads - is the only visible sign of injury and in the context of trauma should be taken to indicate an undisplaced intra-capsular fracture
- (Same patient as image below)
Radial head fracture - AP
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Radial head fracture - AP
- (Same patient as image above)
- The AP view shows a fracture line which extends to the articular surface of the radial head
Radial head fracture - Subtle - Lateral view
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Radial head fracture - Subtle - Lateral view
- Abnormality of bone associated with elbow fractures can be very subtle
- Here the effusion is easily recognised. This should prompt a hunt for a fracture
- There is subtle buckling of the radial head cortex anteriorly
- (Same patient as image below)
Radial head fracture - Subtle - AP view
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Radial head fracture - Subtle - AP view
- (Same patient as image above)
- The subtle buckling of the radial head cortex is seen again on the AP view