Abstract
X-rays of the pediatric elbow are characterized by the absence/presence of secondary ossification centers. They have a concise order of appearance, which makes that radiographic imaging of the pediatric elbow can be helpful when determining skeletal/bone age. Several techniques based on the use of ossification centers in assessing bone age have been described. The more specific changes in ossification of the olecranon can be used to assess not just bone age but also the acceleration or deceleration phase of the pubertal growth, which is of importance in guiding treatment for limb length discrepancy and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.
Furthermore, knowledge of sequence of the ossification centers allows for a more accurate assessment of X-ray after pediatric elbow trauma. Since the ossification center of the capitellum can be seen at young age, this can used as a radiographic parameter in case of fracture and/or dislocation (anterior humeral line, radiocapitellar line, Baumann’s angle).
Also, in chronic injuries (little league’s elbow or osteochondral lesion of the capitellum), good imaging is a necessary tool in the treatment decision-making processes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Greulich WW, Pyle SI. Radiographic atlas of skeletal development of the hand and wrist. Am J Med Sci. 1959;238:393.
Sauvegrain J, Nahum H, Bronstein H. Study of bone maturation of the elbow. Ann Radiol. 1962;5:542–50.
Dimeglio A, Charles YP, Daures JP, de Rosa V, Kabore B. Accuracy of the Sauvegrain method in determining skeletal age during puberty. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87:1689–96.
Charles YP, Dimeglio A, Canavese F, Daures JP. Skeletal age assessment from the olecranon for idiopathic scoliosis at Risser grade 0. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;89:2737–44.
Garn SM, Rohmann CG, Silverman FN. Radiographic standards for postnatal ossification and tooth calcification. Med Radiogr Photogr. 1967;43:45–66.
Girdany BR, Golden R. Centers of ossification of the skeleton. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med. 1952;68:922–4.
Patel B, Reed M, Patel S. Gender-specific pattern differences of the ossification centers in the pediatric elbow. Pediatr Radiol. 2009;39:226–31.
Iyer RS, Thapa MM, Khanna PC, Chew FS. Pediatric bone imaging: imaging elbow trauma in children—a review of acute and chronic injuries. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012;198:1053–68.
Itsubo T, Murakami N, Uemura K, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging staging to evaluate the stability of capitellar osteochondritis dissecans lesions. Am J Sports Med. 2014;42:1972–7.
Acknowledgment
No conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2020 ISAKOS
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Van Tongel, A., Lauwagie, S., Plasschaert, F. (2020). Imaging of the Pediatric Elbow. In: Bain, G., Eygendaal, D., van Riet, R. (eds) Surgical Techniques for Trauma and Sports Related Injuries of the Elbow. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-58931-1_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-662-58931-1_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-662-58930-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-662-58931-1
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)