Imaging of Traumatic Elbow Injuries

Targeted CE per ARRT’s Discipline, Category, and Subcategory classification for enrollments starting after April 6, 2023:
[Note: Discipline-specific Targeted CE credits may be less than the total Category A credits approved for this course.]

Computed Tomography: 2.25
Procedures: 2.25
Head, Spine, and Musculoskeletal: 2.25

Magnetic Resonance Imaging: 3.50
Patient Care: 1.25
Patient Interactions and Management: 1.25
Procedures: 2.25
Musculoskeletal: 2.25

Nuclear Medicine Technology: 1.25
Patient Care: 1.25
Patient Interactions and Management: 1.25

Radiography: 3.50
Patient Care: 1.25
Patient Interactions and Management: 1.25
Procedures: 2.25
Extremity Procedures: 2.25

Registered Radiologist Assistant: 3.50
Patient Care: 1.25
Patient Management: 1.25
Procedures: 2.25
Musculoskeletal and Endocrine Sections: 2.25

Sonography: 1.25
Patient Care: 1.25
Patient Interactions and Management: 1.25

Outline

1. Introduction
2. Functional Anatomy of the Elbow
3. Elbow Instability
4. Common Injury Patterns
   1. Radial Head and Neck Fractures
   2. Essex-Lopresti Fracture-Dislocation
   3. Distal Humerus Fracture
   4. Coronoid Process Fracture
   5. Olecranon Fracture
   6. Elbow Dislocation
   7. Terrible Triad
   8. Monteggia Fracture and Dislocation
5. Conclusion

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will:

1. know what percentage of emergency room visits in the United State are for elbow injuries
2. define the acronym FOOSH
3. understand the findings a radiologist conveys to the surgeon or clinician when interpreting elbow trauma images
4. know the names of the bones that make up the forearm and elbow region
5. define the various articulations that make up the elbow joint
6. be familiar with the joint classification of the elbow joint
7. be able to name the various elbow joint fat pads
8. understand which of the elbow joint articulations control pronation, supination, flexion, and extension
9. describe what bundles make up the medial collateral ligament complex of the elbow joint
10. describe the bundles that make up the lateral collateral ligament complex of the elbow joint
11. know which of the ligaments the primary stabilizers of the elbow joint are
12. explain which of the elbow joint ligaments provide stability to valgus and varus forces
13. be familiar with the major blood vessels associated with the elbow joint
14. know the major muscles associated with the elbow joint
15. understand which fractures in the elbow could cause blood vessel damage
16. understand how elbow joint dislocations rank in frequency in comparison with other joints
17. describe what elbow dislocation complications concern orthopedic surgeons
18. describe how elbow joint dislocations are classified
19. know what potential complications may arise from elbow dislocations
20. be familiar with dynamic radiography and its role in the diagnosis of medial collateral ligament insufficiency
21. know which imaging modalities are used to in the diagnosis of elbow ligament damage
22. know which imaging modality is used for identifying associated occult coronoid or radial head fractures for patients with posterolateral rotatory instability of the elbow
23. know which type of fracture is the most common in children
24. know the various positions an elbow joint is normally in and how trauma or injury may change that
25. describe the elbow anatomy seen using routine radiography views
26. describe the Jones Method
27. describe the Coyle Method
28. be familiar with the radiographic lines seen in elbow radiography
29. describe fracture considerations that apply to radial head and neck fractures of the elbow
30. know what the Mason-Johnston system classification for radial head and neck fractures is
31. be familiar with how casts affect radiographic exposure techniques
32. describe what an Essex-Lopresti injury of the elbow is
33. describe the types of distal humeral fractures and the various classification systems for them
34. describe the classification systems describing coronoid process fractures of the elbow
35. know the ramifications an olecranon process fracture may present
36. describe the various types of elbow dislocations
37. describe the type of fracture represented by a “terrible triad” type of injury to the elbow
38. describe what additional imaging modalities may supplement conventional radiography with a “terrible triad” injury
39. describe the type of fracture represented by a Monteggia fracture-dislocation injury
40. describe the classification systems of a Monteggia fracture-dislocation injury