Abstract
Background
A subluxation of the radial head (SRH) is a clinical condition that commonly occurs
in children under 6 years of age. History and physical examination findings typically
include a child who presents with an elbow held in extension and with forearm pronation,
after having suffered significant longitudinal traction on the arm, or after a fall
on an outstretched hand. The diagnosis is often clinically obvious. The injury responds
dramatically to closed reduction, and usually no imaging is required. However, cases
with atypical presentations and patients who do not respond favorably to a reduction
maneuver present clinical challenges, because the initial diagnosis of SRH may seem
to be questionable or erroneous. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) can assist decision-making
and clinical management for these patients.
Case Reports
We report three cases of SRH that were diagnosed and managed with POCUS in the emergency
department.
Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This?
POCUS can assist in the diagnosis and management of patients with clinical suspicion
of SRH, especially in cases of atypical presentations or cases in which the mechanism
of injury is unknown. It is also an extremely valuable tool in determining postprocedure
reduction success.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 08, 2017
Accepted:
January 31,
2017
Received in revised form:
January 30,
2017
Received:
July 31,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
