Use of MRI assisting the diagnosis of pediatric medial condyle fractures of the distal humerus

The aim of this study was to describe the radiographic appearance and to evaluate the elbow function with the Mayo elbow performance score (MEPS) in children with medial condyle fracture of the distal humerus (MCFH) who were treated surgically. During the period of 2011–2017, a total of 10 patients (three boys, seven girls) were retrospectively reviewed after obtaining institutional review board approval. All patients underwent open reduction and percutaneous pinning fixation. The average age at the time of injury was 7.7 years (range: 4.0–12.5 years), and the mean follow up was 43.9 months (range: 8.1–67.1 months). The clinical and radiographic outcomes of medial condyle fracture were retrospectively evaluated. Among 10 patients, half were diagnosed with MCFH initially by the radiograph, four out of 10 patients had their diagnosis confirmed with the aid of MRI, and an intraoperative diagnosis was made in only one individual. The average humeral-ulnar angles of the injured and noninjured sides were 9.7° ± 5.3° and 9.3° ± 4.7°, respectively ( P = 0.679). The average MEPSs of the injured and noninjured sides were 95.5 ± 2.8 and 96.5 ± 2.4 points, respectively ( P = 0.168). In this retrospectively evaluated cohort submitted to surgical management of medial condyle fracture of the distal humerus, MRI has been proven beneficial assisting the diagnosis and allowing effective joint restoration with mid-term good functional outcome.