A Case Report of Median Nerve Entrapment in a Supracondylar Humeral Fracture: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Results After 5 Years of Follow-Up

<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Neurological complications in extension-type-III supracondylar humeral fractures (SCHFs) in children represent 11% of cases. An extension-type-III SCHF with posterolateral displacement of the distal fragment is commonly associated with damage to the median nerve and the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN). Neurological complications are often unnoticed, and their immediate postoperative diagnosis is difficult, particularly in young children. Neurapraxia, the most common complication, usually undergoes spontaneous nerve recovery. <b>Case Presentation</b>: We report a case of a 7-year-old patient with postoperative median nerve palsy after an SCHF (Gartland type III) who was referred to our unit from another hospital due to a lack of spontaneous recovery. In addition, motor and sensory functions were absent. As ultrasound (US) indicated nerve kinking at the fracture site, an exploration was performed. The nerve was trapped within the fracture and the callus. It was surgically extracted, and intraoperative examination with US indicated that resecting the kinked nerve, freeing the two stumps, and attempting a primary end-to-end suture represented the best course of action. We present this case with a 5-year follow-up surgery, which showed a good clinical outcome. <b>Conclusions</b>: This case is noteworthy because of its diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, and it is complemented by surgical and ultrasound images that can assist other surgeons in similar circumstances.

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Publication Details

Journal
Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos
Published
2025-02-18
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/reports8010023
Primary Topic
Elbow and Forearm Trauma Treatment
Type
article
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article

A Case Report of Median Nerve Entrapment in a Supracondylar Humeral Fracture: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Results After 5 Years of Follow-Up

Pierluigi Tos, Alessandro Crosio, Joil Ramazzotti, Francesco Locatelli et al.
Reports — Medical Cases Images and Videos
Elbow and Forearm Trauma Treatment
article

A Case Report of Median Nerve Entrapment in a Supracondylar Humeral Fracture: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Results After 5 Years of Follow-Up

Pierluigi Tos, Alessandro Crosio, Joil Ramazzotti, Francesco Locatelli, C. Colonna
article en

Abstract

<b>Background and Clinical Significance</b>: Neurological complications in extension-type-III supracondylar humeral fractures (SCHFs) in children represent 11% of cases. An extension-type-III SCHF with posterolateral displacement of the distal fragment is commonly associated with damage to the median nerve and the anterior interosseous nerve (AIN). Neurological complications are often unnoticed, and their immediate postoperative diagnosis is difficult, particularly in young children. Neurapraxia, the most common complication, usually undergoes spontaneous nerve recovery. <b>Case Presentation</b>: We report a case of a 7-year-old patient with postoperative median nerve palsy after an SCHF (Gartland type III) who was referred to our unit from another hospital due to a lack of spontaneous recovery. In addition, motor and sensory functions were absent. As ultrasound (US) indicated nerve kinking at the fracture site, an exploration was performed. The nerve was trapped within the fracture and the callus. It was surgically extracted, and intraoperative examination with US indicated that resecting the kinked nerve, freeing the two stumps, and attempting a primary end-to-end suture represented the best course of action. We present this case with a 5-year follow-up surgery, which showed a good clinical outcome. <b>Conclusions</b>: This case is noteworthy because of its diagnostic and therapeutic pathways, and it is complemented by surgical and ultrasound images that can assist other surgeons in similar circumstances.

Reports — Medical Cases Images and VideosVol. 8(1)
Ospedale Papa Giovanni XXIII (IT), Istituto Ortopedico Gaetano Pini (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Treviglio (IT), Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale di Bergamo Ovest
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 96%
Elbow and Forearm Trauma Treatment
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