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Abstract
In a prospective study at a single centre between August 1995 and March 1996, 193
patients with elbow injuries were studied. Standard radiographs of the elbows were
taken. A total of 181 X-rays were reported by one person concerning the presence or
absence of fractures and fat-pad signs. The radiographs were analysed and positive
predictive values were calculated for the presence of the fat-pad sign with radial
head/neck fractures. The sensitivity for radial head/neck fracture is 85.4 per cent,
while the specificity is only 50 per cent. The fat-pad sign must be used cautiously
as an indicator of radial head/neck fractures; its absence is a more reliable indicator
of the absence of a radial head/neck fracture.
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
September 4,
1996
Identification
Copyright
© 1997 Published by Elsevier Inc.
