title: [Anatermic separated epiphysis or avulsion fracture: image observation].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore an approach to distinguish avulsion fracture of articular portion from anatomic separated epiphysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  21 cases with suspicioned avulsion fracture of articular portion of tubular bone were reviewed. The cortical continuity of separate small bone and contiguous bone portion was investigated. The swell of soft tissue around these small bones was observed simultaneously. Then the configuration of the fracture was researched by injury mechanics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Continued bone cortex between separate small bone and corresponding bone was seen in 15 cases, so they were considered as a separate epiphysis. Sharp linear fracture between the separate small bone and corresponding bone were seen in 6 cases. The swell of soft tissue around the separate small bone was observed in all cases, so they were considered as a avulsion fracture.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The meticulous investigation of separated small bone at the articular portion by image observation is of important value for distinguishing avulsion fracture from anatomic separate epiphysis.
authors.affiliation: Longyou People' procuratorcate, Longyou 324400, China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Lei-ming
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Xing-fu
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Xie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004839:Epiphyses, Slipped / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D055815:Young Adult