Abstract
Supracondylar humerus fracture (SHF) is a common childhood injury and represents approximately 60% of all
elbow fractures in children. Nerve injures associated with this fracture are well-known, and may be a direct
consequence of the trauma itself or iatrogenic. Neurophysiological study is the gold standard to assess
peripheral nerve injuries but it is invasive and may be difficult to perform in children. Furthermore,
neurophysiology can best provide useful information 2-4 weeks post-injury, it does not show nerve anatomy,
and is not able to distinguish between axonotmesis and neurotmesis. Nerve ultrasound (US) represents an
extension of clinical examination8 and can provide morphologic information. US is being used with increasing
frequency to visualize nerves and their surroundings in traumatic nerve lesion, because it helps localize and
define the peripheral nerve injury. In particular US can distinguish axonotmesis and neuroapraxia (in which there
is nerve continuity) from neurotmesis (in which nerve continuity is absent) to provide information useful for
surgery, and it can also facilitate post-operative management.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 18-20 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | MUSCLE & NERVE |
Volume | 56 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Keywords
- humeral fractures
- pediatric patients
- peripheral nerve
- rehabilitation
- trauma
- ultrasound