We have reviewed seven cases of fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis, two of which were initially misdiagnosed as a fracture of the lateral condyle and one as a fracture of the supracondyle. The four cases were treated by closed reduction and cast immobilization, and three cases by open reduction and internal fixation. The one case with conservative treatment had cubitus varus, other were good result. To distinguish the fracture-separation from a fracture of lat. condyle and from a dislocated elbow is impossible using clinical signs alone. For reducing misdiagnosis, it is important to consider age and there could be need further evaluation such as arthrogram, USG, CT and MRI.
We retrospectively reviewed twelve cases of the fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis, which were treated during the period from 1989 to 1996. The incidence of this injury was about 3 % from 266 pediatric elbow fractures. Four cases were remained misdiagnosed as the lateral or medial humeral condylar fracture until the authors reviewed their radiographs. Though eleven fractures were extension type injury with typical posteromedial displacement, we identified a rare flexion type injury with anterolateral displacement. This case was a 12+7 year old boy, who was the oldest in our series. Cubitus varus deformity of more than 10 developed in five patients, and cubitus rectu intwo patients. One patient underwent osteotomy for the in the literature. The major problem of this fracture was the possibility of misdiagnosis. Whichever reament modality onr may choose, careful evaluation of the carrying angle after reduction is mandatory to avoid residual cubitus varus deformity.
Fracture-separation of the distal humeral epiphysis is a rare injury, frequently misdiagnosed as a fracture of the lateral humeral condyle, a supracondylar fracture of the humerus or a dislocation of the elbow. Roentgenographic evaluation reveals posteromedial displacement of the distal epiphysis. Single contrast arthrography is performed in order to confirm diagnosis. Treatment is first directed toward prompt recognition of the injury. A manipulative closed reduction is usually recommended. We experienced a case of fracture-separation involving the entire distal humeral physis treated by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. The result was excellent.