Traumatic laceration of the radial nerve following supracondylar fracture of the elbow. A case report.
Traumatic laceration of the median, ulnar, or radial nerve is an extremely rare complication of supracondylar fracture of the humerus in children. A recent review of the literature disclosed only two reported cases of a laceration involving the radial nerve; a third such injury in an 8-year-old boy is reported in the present paper. Traumatic neuropraxia of one or more of the three adjacent peripheral nerves is a more common complication of supracondylar fracture, with the great majority of these lesions responding to conservative treatment. Vascular compromise secondary to traumatic laceration of the brachial artery is a more frequently observed injury, with an incidence in some series as high as 10%. Clinical findings that suggest vascular injury, therefore, warrant a more aggressive approach, either by arteriography or surgical exploration.
D002648:Child; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000293:injuries*; D011859:Radiography; D000092464:Elbow Injuries