Pictorial review: 'Fishtail deformity' of the elbow

• Published in: Journal of medical imaging and radiation oncology Vol. 54; no. 5; pp. 450 - 456
• Main Authors: Hayter, Catherine L, Giuffre, Bruno M, Hughes, Jeffery S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne, Australia Blackwell Publishing Asia 01.10.2010
• Subjects: avascular necrosis; Child; Epiphyses - injuries; fishtail deformity; Humans; humeral fractures; Humeral Fractures - complications; Humeral Fractures - diagnosis; humerus; Humerus - injuries; Joint Deformities, Acquired - diagnosis; Joint Deformities, Acquired - etiology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Osteoarthritis - diagnosis; Osteoarthritis - etiology; Osteonecrosis - diagnosis; Osteonecrosis - etiology; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; trochlea
• ISSN: 1754-9477; 1754-9485
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1754-9485.2010.02206.x

Summary Fishtail deformity of the elbow is characterised by a contour abnormality of the distal humerus, which develops when the lateral trochlear ossification centres fails to develop or resorbs. It is an uncommon complication usually following a distal humeral fracture in childhood. Whilst initially presumed to be a benign condition, long‐term follow‐up suggests that patients with fishtail deformity are prone to functional impairment, ongoing pain and the development of early osteoarthrosis. This paper reviews the imaging findings in fishtail deformity, the proposed aetiology and the potential long‐term complications.