Triquetral fracture - pooping duck sign

Case contributed by Juan Camilo Mesa
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Post-traumatic wrist pain. Clinical examination: swollen wrist, limited passive and active movement.

Patient Data

Age: 45 years
Gender: Male

This lateral image shows an avulsed fracture fragment along the dorsal aspect of the triquetrum; it is known as the pooping duck sign.

Case Discussion

Triquetral fracture represents the second most common carpal fracture, and complications are rare. The pooping duck sign is represented by the scaphoid as the head and neck, the lunate as the body and wings, the dorsal cortex of the triquetrum as the tail, and the avulsive fracture fragment of the triquetrum as the poop.

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