Fishtail lateral condyle

Fishtail deformity is an uncommon complication of distal humeral fractures in children. This article reports four cases accompanied by premature closure of a portion of the distal humeral physis with resultant deformity, length retardation, decreased elbow motion, and functional impairment. The ages of the patients at time of injury ranged from 4 years 2 months to 6 years 1 month (average 5 years 4 months). The average length of follow-up was 9 years 9 months (range, 3 years 5 months to 18 years 10 months)...

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...

BACKGROUND: Osteonecrosis of the humeral trochlea is an uncommon but challenging complication of pediatric elbow fractures. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the clinical and radiographic presentation of fishtail deformity and outline a treatment algorithm. METHODS: Fourteen patients were treated at a tertiary children's hospital between 1995 and 2010. Mean age at presentation was 10 years (range, 2.5 to 12 y). Demographic, clinical presentation, radiographic, and treatment data were recorded...