J Korean Fract Soc.  2014 Jul;27(3):232-236. 10.12671/jkfs.2014.27.3.232.

T-Condylar Fracture of Distal Humerus in a Child: A Case Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea. jeongmin3744@daum.com

Abstract

T-condylar fracture is a type of distal humerus fracture. T-condylar fracture in children is rare, with reported incidence of less than 1% of T-condylar fractures. The mean reported age of T-condylar fracture in children is 11. Cases in children under 5 years-old are extremely rare. Herein, we report on a T-condylar fracture of the distal humerus in a 5-year-old boy. This patient was treated with open reduction and K-wire fixation through the posterolateral approach. The result of treatment was satisfactory; therefore, we report this case.

Keyword

Humerus; T-condylar fracture; Child

MeSH Terms

Child*
Child, Preschool
Humans
Humerus*
Incidence
Male

Figure

  • Fig. 1 Initial plain antero-posterior (AP) and lateral view of x-ray. (A) AP view of plain x-ray shows the intercondylar fracture line. (B) Lateral view of plain x-ray shows posterior displacement at the lateral condyle of the left distal humerus.

  • Fig. 2 Pre-operative computed tomography (CT) image of the left elbow. (A) Axial view shows the supracondylar fracture line. (B) Lateral condylar fracture line is definite in the coronal view. (C) T-condylar fracture and posterior displacement of the lateral condyle is remarkable in 3-dimensional CT image.

  • Fig. 3 Plain x-ray after open reduction and Kirschner wire fixation. (A) Antero-posterior view of plain x-ray shows reduced, anatomically. (B) Shaft-condylar angle was recovered on lateral view x-ray.

  • Fig. 4 Five weeks after the operation, Kirschner-wires are removed. (A) Well-bone union is checked in the anteroposterior view of plain x-ray. (B) Posterior displacement is reduced successfully in lateral view of plain x-ray.

  • Fig. 5 Two years and seven months after surgery. (A) Valgus or varus deformity is not found in long bone view of plain x-ray. (B) 125 degrees of active elbow flexion was possible. (C) There was no flexion contracture at the elbow.


Reference

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