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Olecranon fracture

Case contributed by Bahman Rasuli
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Elbow trauma and the inability of elbow extension.

Patient Data

Age: 10 years
Gender: Male
mri

Marked joint effusion with capsular distension is present.

Fragmentation of olecranon process with an internal thin low signal fracture line is present at the anterior smaller fragment.

Bone marrow edema/bruise is seen at the humerus capitellum, trochlea, medial and lateral epicondyles as well as the olecranon process.

The humeral medial and lateral epicondyles and condyles, as well as the radial head, appear normal for the child's age.

Case Discussion

Regarding the imaging findings, a thin line fracture at the olecranon ossification center anterior smaller fragment is depicted.

It is important that we don't mistake the olecranon apophysis or its separate ossification centers for the fracture.

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