Olekranonfraktur

School ager
who fell off the monkey bars. AP (upper left) and oblique (below) radiographs of the elbow show a complete fracture of the radial head with dislocation of the fracture fragment. Lateral radiograph (upper right) shows a lucency through the olecranon and elevation of the anterior fat pad.The diagnosis was radial head elbow fracture and olecranon elbow fracture.
pediatricimaging.org • CC-by-nc-sa 4.0
Toddler with
elbow pain after fall. Lateral (above) and oblique (below) radiographs of the elbow show a lucency through the olecranon best seen on the oblique view along with elevation of the anterior and posterior fat pads.The diagnosis was olecranon elbow fracture.
pediatricimaging.org • CC-by-nc-sa 4.0
Radiopaedia • CC-by-nc-sa 3.0 • de

Olecranon fractures are clinically and radiographically obvious, and usually require open reduction and internal fixation.

Mechanism

Olecranon fractures occur as the result of one of four mechanisms :

  • direct blow (or fall directly on the elbow)
  • fall on outstretched hand with elbow flexed
  • avulsion fracture - e.g. triceps bony avulsion
  • stress fracture, e.g. throwing athletes and gymnasts

    • It is important to remember that the ulnar nerve is closely related to the medial aspect of the olecranon and, although not common, nerve injury may complicate these fractures .

    Radiographic features

    Plain radiograph

    Olecranon fractures are easy to diagnose provided a lateral x-ray of the elbow is obtained. They appear as a lucency usually reaching the trochlear groove articular surface and are, in most cases, displaced.

    Reporting checklist

    Radiology reports should not only include whether or not a fracture is present but also comment on:

    • fracture
      • location, especially whether or not it reaches the articular surface 
      • displacement and the gap distance
      • comminution
    • associated findings and relevant negatives

    Treatment and prognosis

    Due to the unopposed traction of the triceps muscle, these fractures are usually widely displaced and require open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) . Occasionally when undisplaced non-operative treatment with immobilization at 30 degrees of flexion is possible . Union rates with appropriate treatment are very high (~99%) and other than a slight reduction in flexion and extension at the elbow, function is preserved .

    Unlike many other intra-articular fractures, olecranon fractures result in relatively little secondary osteoarthritic changes, probably on account of most fractures occurring through a relatively non-articular part of the trochlear groove .

    Most of the symptoms relate to prominence of hardware given the little overlying soft tissues .

    Occasionally ulnar nerve injury can result in long-term sensory and motor impairment, most marked in the hand.

    Differential diagnosis

    There is usually little differential, especially in adults, and when the clinical presentation is that of trauma to the elbow with pain, swelling and lack of mobility. In young patients, one must consider unfused olecranon epiphysis . Extremely rarely it can mimic a patella cubiti.

    Siehe auch:
    und weiter:
    Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu Olekranonfraktur:
    Avulsionsverletzung
    Trizepssehne
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