Clavicle fracture - bilateral

Case contributed by Leonardo Lustosa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Motor vehicle accident. Polytrauma patient. Crepitus and deformity of the clavicles upon physical examination.

Patient Data

Age: 17 years
Gender: Male

Presentation

x-ray

Shoulder radiographs confirmed the suspected bilateral clavicle fractures.

Both fractures are displaced fractures of the intermediate 3/5 of the clavicle (Robinson type 2B1).

Post-operative

x-ray

Radiographs performed immediately post-op. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation with plating of the clavicles.

Case Discussion

Most clavicle fractures occur in the middle third and are treated conservatively. Bilateral clavicle fractures represent one of the few relative indications for primary operative management.

Although clavicle fractures are extremely common, a bilateral presentation has been reported to be present in <0.5% of cases 1.

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