X-ray of fractures in children
Author:
Mikael Häggström [notes 1]
Contents
Growth plate fractures
Growth plate fractures are also called Salter-Harris fractures.
SALTER mnemonic for classification
File:SalterHarris.svg
Salter-Harris fracture types
The mnemonic "SALTER" can be used to help remember the first five types.[1][2][3]
This mnemonic requires the reader to imagine the bones as long bones, with the epiphyses at the base.
- I – S = Slip (separated or straight across). Fracture of the cartilage of the physis (growth plate)
- II – A = Above. The fracture lies above the physis, or Away from the joint.
- III – L = Lower. The fracture is below the physis in the epiphysis.
- IV – TE = Through Everything. The fracture is through the metaphysis, physis, and epiphysis.
- V – R = Rammed (crushed). The physis has been crushed.
- Salter Harris 1 demo(1).jpg
Salter–Harris I fracture of distal radius.
- Salter Harris 2 demo.jpg
Salter–Harris II fracture of ring finger proximal phalanx.
- Salter Harris 3 demo.jpg
Salter–Harris III fracture of big toe proximal phalanx.
- Salter Harris 4 demo.jpg
Salter–Harris IV fracture of big toe proximal phalanx.
Follow-up of fractures
In children, the following timeline of radiologic features is expected:
| Resolution of soft tissues | 7-10 days (or 2-21 days) |
| Gap widening | 4-6 weeks (56%) |
| Periosteal reaction | 7 days - 7 weeks |
| Marginal sclerosis | 4-6 weeks (85%) |
| First callus | 4-7 weeks (100%) |
| Radiodensity of callus > cortex | 13 weeks (90%) |
| Bridging callus | 2.6 - 13 weeks |
| Periosteal incorporation | 14 weeks |
| Remodeling | 9 weeks (50%) |
See also
- X-ray of fractures for classification and reporting
Notes
- ↑ For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Radlines:Authorship for details.
References
- ↑ Davis, Ryan (2006). Blueprints Radiology . ISBN 9781405104609. Retrieved on March 3, 2008.
- ↑ . Salter-Harris Fractures. OrthoConsult. Retrieved on 5 February 2017.
- ↑ Tidey, Brian. Salter-Harris Fractures. Retrieved on March 3, 2008.
- ↑ Unless otherwise specified in boxes, reference is:
- Prosser, Ingrid; Lawson, Zoe; Evans, Alison; Harrison, Sara; Morris, Sue; Maguire, Sabine; Kemp, Alison M. (2012). "A Timetable for the Radiologic Features of Fracture Healing in Young Children ". American Journal of Roentgenology 198 (5): 1014–1020. doi:. ISSN 0361-803X.
- Data is taken from scientific studies, notably Islam et al. where data is contradictory to radiology textbooks:
Islam, Omar; Soboleski, Don; Symons, S.; Davidson, L. K.; Ashworth, M. A.; Babyn, Paul (2000). "Development and Duration of Radiographic Signs of Bone Healing in Children ". American Journal of Roentgenology 175 (1): 75–78. doi:. ISSN 0361-803X.
