Image Diagnosis: Capitellar Fracture

should bisect the capitellum in all views, and the anterior humeral line, which is drawn along the anterior edge of the humerus and should transect the middle third of the capitellum. 2 An oblique or radial head-capitellum view may assist in detecting a subtle fracture line. Elevated fat pads, such as a convex anterior fat pad producing a sail sign or any elevation of the posterior fat pad, suggest an underlying fracture. A computed tomography scan may be indicated in the appropriate clinical setting. 2,3 Displaced capitellar fractures frequently require prompt operative intervention in the form of open reduction and internal fixation to preserve the function of the joint. Fragment excision is often performed in comminuted fractures or for bone fragments that are too small for fixation. Isolated nondisplaced frac tures, or those that have undergone successful closed reduction, may be managed nonoperatively with im