Elbow under pressure: Radiological diagnosis of panner’s lesion

Panner’s disease is an uncommon osteochondrosis of the humeral capitellum, typically seen in preadolescent boys. We report a 14-year-old male cricketer who presented with lateral elbow pain and restricted extension. Frontal radiography demonstrated fragmentation, irregularity, and subchondral sclerosis of the capitellum. High-resolution ultrasonography (10–15 MHz linear transducer) confirmed surface irregularity and a small joint effusion in the symptomatic elbow, while the contralateral capitellum appeared normal. The patient was managed conservatively with activity modification and analgesia, and he experienced near-complete clinical recovery at 6 weeks. Although follow-up imaging was not performed, radiographic healing typically includes reossification and restoration of normal contour. This case underscores the complementary role of radiography and ultrasonography, with magnetic resonance imaging reserved for problem-solving, in distinguishing Panner’s disease from osteochondritis dissecans.