Elbow Fracture Is Unlikely in Children with Normal Anterior Fat Pads

A normal anterior fat pad and a narrow apical fat pad angle were associated with absence of fracture.

Investigators assessed the association between a normal elbow anterior fat pad (AFP) and absence of fracture in a prospective cohort of children (age range, 1–18 years) with elbow trauma who presented to a pediatric emergency department in New York City during 1 year. Per institutional protocol, all patients were instructed to receive follow-up radiographs 7 to 14 days after injury. A pediatric radiologist evaluated radiographs and determined presence of fracture (based on bony abnormalities), measured apical AFP angles (angle formed by the humerus and the superior aspect of the AFP), subjectively assessed whether the AFP was normal or abnormal, and determined presence or absence of the posterior fat pad (PFP).

Of 197 patients (mean age, 7.9…

Reviewing Author

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)

Katherine Bakes, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier)

Grant/Research SupportDepartment of Justice

Editorial BoardsEmergency Medicine Secrets (Elsevier); Rosen’s Emergency Medicine (Elsevier)