The Use of MRI in Median Nerve Entrapment after Posterior Elbow Dislocation and Medial Epicondyle Fracture

Intraosseous median nerve entrapment is an uncommon complication of a closed reduction of a posterior elbow dislocation, that can have devastating consequences for patients. The diagnosis is usually delayed, due to the subtle nature of symptoms. Early identification can have a significant impact on the success of recovery. Here we look at the case of 10-year-old girl in the subacute setting, who had median nerve entrapment visualised early on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) following a pre-hospital closed reduction of a posterior elbow dislocation and medial epicondyle fracture. The patient had surgery within three weeks of her injury, undergoing an exploration of elbow, neurolysis of the median and ulnar nerve and repair of the medial epicondyle fracture. She had full recovery from her symptoms.

Author(s): Tahnee Paterson, Katherine Ong, Peter Counsel and Travis Falconer

Abstract | PDF

Share This Article