Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to C Kitsis.
A rare case of an irreducible elbow dislocation is described. We discuss the causes of irreducibility and the treatment options. Intraoperative assessment of joint stability, repair of the lateral collateral ligament and appropriate postoperative management led to an excellent 5-year outcome, obviating the need for an external fixator or a radial head replacement.
Scaphoid fractures can be difficult to diagnose on X-ray, even at 2 weeks. We have compared prospectively bone scanning versus MRI scanning in 22 patients with persistent signs and symptoms suggestive of a scaphoid fracture at 2 weeks and found both methods to be sensitive, but MRI to be more specific, particularly in diagnosing soft tissue injuries like scapho-lunate ligament ruptures and triangular fibrocartilage tears. An early MRI scan at 2 weeks allows the clinician to make the appropriate decision in this group of patients whose diagnoses include; occult scaphoid fractures, other occult carpal and radial fractures, ligamentous injuries and those without apparent injuries. MRI has also been useful in defining the group of injuries which may imitate a clinically occult scaphoid fracture.