Ultrasound imaging in diagnostics of Monteggia lesion in children.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the use of ultrasound imaging in diagnostics of Monteggia lesion in children where conventional radiographs and the use of the radiocapitellar line fail to provide an accurate diagnosis. Methods: Prospective diagnostic study of 70 patients treated between May 2018 and July 2021 in a pediatric level 1 trauma center. In 20 patients with the confirmed radiographic diagnosis of Monteggia lesion, an ultrasound of the humeroradial joint was performed to determine signs of both normal and dislocated elbow joint. In 36 patients with suspected humeroradial dislocation on plain radiographs, ultrasound imaging was performed to determine the definitive diagnosis. Overall, 14 patients with elbow joint injury other than humeroradial dislocation were excluded from the study. Results: The "double-hump sign" and the "congruency sign" were determined as normal findings on ultrasound of the humeroradial joint. These signs were applied to patients with unclear findings on radiographs. In three patients, the dislocation of the humeroradial joint was confirmed by ultrasound. In two patients, "defect in congruency sign" was seen during reduction despite normal radiographs, which required re-reduction. In 31 patients, dislocation of the humeroradial joint was refuted. In 34 out of the 36 patients, the diagnosis determined by ultrasound was confirmed in follow-up. Two patients did not attend the follow-up examination. Conclusion: Ultrasound imaging is an accessible, non-invasive, and dynamic point-of-care method that can be applied in children suffering from suspected humeroradial dislocation and/or subluxation. Level of evidence: Level III-diagnostic study.

Paediatric pelvic injuries: a retrospective epidemiological study from four level 1 trauma centers.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Epidemiologic evaluation of pelvic ring injuries in children. METHODS: Retrospective analysis over a period of 13 years, excluding pathological fractures. AO/OTA type, epidemiological data, type of treatment, and complications were recorded. Data were assessed using Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon test. RESULTS: 243 boys, 115 girls, mean age (SD) 14.1 ± 3.0 years, AO/OTA types: 281 A, 52 B, 25 C. Multiple trauma: 62, combined trauma: 59, mono-trauma: 237. 281 patients were treated non-operatively, 97 surgically. ETIOLOGY: traffic accidents 88, falls from a great height 37, crushing injuries four, and sports injuries 192, simple falls 30, others seven. High-energy mechanisms prevailed in types B and C. Low-energy mechanism in type A (p < 0.0001). Similar differences were found between type A (p = 0.0009) and in case type C requiring surgery and cases treated non-operatively (p < 0.0001). Twenty-six patients (7.3%) had complications (pelvic asymmetry 5, neurological deficits 5, non-union 1, ectopic calcification 4, others 7). Higher complication rates were associated with types B and C (p = 0.0015), with surgically treated cases (p < 0.0001) and multiple trauma (p = 0.0305). DISCUSSION: Results of this trial were comparable with other studies. CONCLUSION: Sports injuries accounted for most type A injuries, while types B and C tended to be associated with high-energy trauma. Complications were associated with the severity of pelvic trauma, more common in surgically treated group of patients; this is primarily linked to the surgical cases being more serious as well as the associated injuries.

Acute tibial tubercle avulsion fractures in children: selective use of the closed reduction and internal fixation method.

PURPOSE: Acute tibial tubercle avulsion fractures typically occur in adolescent boys involved in certain sports. All of the excerpted authors recommend open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) as the only method to manage the displaced form of the injury. We attempted to select the optimal medical treatment of various types of this injury. The closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) method was selectively used. METHODS: During a period of 10 years (1997-2006), we treated 12 children with an acute injury to the tibial tubercle. Ogden's classification was used to describe the type of injury. Nine patients with a displaced fracture were treated surgically, using either the CRIF or ORIF methods. In cases of intraarticular fracture, the use of the CRIF method was tested. The suitability of the CRIF method was decided during manipulation of the fragments under an X-ray amplifier. RESULTS: According to Ogden's classification, three children were classified with type 1A, one with 1B, three with 2A, four with 3A, and one with 3B. In patients with the displaced extraarticular injury (types 1B and 2A), the ORIF method of treatment was necessary. In all but one case of intraarticular fracture (type 3A and 3B), the CRIF method was sufficient. CONCLUSIONS: The authors recommend that, for displaced intraarticular Ogden's type 3A or 3B fracture, the CRIF method should be considered as a first choice.