Presentation
Intense shoulder pain following recent trauma from falling on skis with arm in forced abduction, with suspected posterior dislocation and spontaneous reduction.
Patient Data
Transverse images obtained over the anterior left shoulder show a large fleck of bone avulsed from the lesser tuberosity of the humeral head. There’s a deep defect on the anterior surface of the humerus and the continuity of the avulsed bone with the subscapularis tendon.
It is completed with a radiological examination.
The axillary view of the left shoulder shows an avulsion fracture of lesser tuberosity. The avulsion fracture is also recognizable in the anteroposterior projection.
Case Discussion
The mechanism of this indirect injury is caused by the pulling forces of the upper glenohumeral ligament and the subscapularis muscle in hyperextension. Avulsions of the lesser tuberosity may be secondary to posterior dislocations of the shoulder due to traction of the subscapularis. The best view for identifying an avulsion fragment is the axillary view.
Radiographer: TSRM Bianco Nunzio
Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.