Triquetral fracture - pooping duck sign

Case contributed by Mohammad Taghi Niknejad
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Post trauma wrist pain.

Patient Data

Age: 45 years
Gender: Female

The lateral image shows a small bony fragment along the dorsal aspect of the proximal carpal row, adjacent to the dorsal cortex of the triquetrum, known as the pooping duck sign and suggesting triquetral fracture. 

Annotated image

On the lateral radiography of the wrist, the scaphoid is colored in blue, the lunate in yellow, and the visualized posterior part of the triquetrum in red, which resemble a duck. The avulsed triquetral fragment corresponds to poop from the duck.

Case Discussion

Triquetral fracture is the second commonest carpal bone fracture, after the scaphoid and the pooping duck sign on lateral radiograph refers to an avulsed fracture fragment from the dorsal cortex of the triquetrum projects along the dorsal aspect of the bony structures of the wrist.

How to use cases

You can use Radiopaedia cases in a variety of ways to help you learn and teach.

Creating your own cases is easy.

Updating… Please wait.

 Unable to process the form. Check for errors and try again.

 Thank you for updating your details.