The disparate diameter. A sign of rotational deformity in fractures.
Although clinical assessment is usually better than radiographic evaluation in detecting rotational deformity at a fracture site, the forearm is an exception to this rule. A simple radiologic sign is here described which may uncover rotational fracture deformity: in the absence of comminution, whenever the diameter of a long bone changes abruptly across a fracture line, a significant rotational deformity must be considered. The basis for and applications of this sign are described.
D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005543:Forearm Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012399:Rotation