Radiometric Parameters of the Forearm in Traumatic Instability of the Distal Radioulnar Joint in Children

Abstract

Background. At present, the literature describes in sufficient detail the use of various methods of X-ray examination of the bones of the forearm in the diagnosis of distal radioulnar joint instability (DRUJI), but there are no data on radiometric parameters for DRUJI of traumatic origin in children. Quantitative diagnostics becomes mandatory for determining the tactics of treating DRUJI of traumatic origin in children. The purpose of study to analyze the radiometric parameters of the distal forearm in case of DRUJI of traumatic origin in children to plan the method of surgical treatment. Мethods. The paper presents an analysis of the results of X-ray examination of 23 children with instability of the distal radioulnar joint of traumatic origin aged 9 to 17 years (mean age 14.212.5 years) the main group. For comparison, radiographs of the contralateral forearms of the same patients were analyzed the comparison group (23 children), and radiographs of the forearm of 69 pediatric patients without signs of DRUJI (control group). On radiographs in the anteroposterior and lateral projections, the following radiometric parameters were evaluated: radioulnar and volar angles, radioulnar index, radioulnar distance, and the difference between the radioulnar distances of both forearms. Results. In 19 patients of the main group, a positive variant of the radioulnar index with dislocation of the head of the ulna was revealed, while the indicators of the radioulnar and volar angle were characterized by variability in values. The average values of radiometric parameters of DRUJI in children without bone-traumatic changes of the forearm are comparable to normal values in adults. Conclusions. In children with DRUJI of traumatic origin, various changes were revealed radiometric indicators of the distal parts of the bones of the forearm, which depend on the type of forearm fracture. In a particular pediatric patient with DRUJI of traumatic origin, these indicators reflect the biomechanical features of the wrist joint, which must be taken into account when planning surgical intervention and predicting the recovery of the anatomy and function of the forearm.

Keywords

• distal radioulnar joint
• children
• instability
• trauma
• radiography