Radiometric Parameters of the Forearm in Traumatic Instability of the Distal Radioulnar Joint in Children

Abstract

Background. At present, the literature describes in sufficient detail the use of various methods of X-ray examination of the bones of the forearm in the diagnosis of distal radioulnar joint instability (DRJI), but there are no data on radiometric parameters for DRJI of traumatic origin in children. Quantitative diagnostics becomes mandatory for determining the tactics of treating DRJI of traumatic origin in children. The purpose of study - to analyze the radiometric parameters of the forearm in case of DRJI of traumatic origin in children. Materials and methods. The paper presents an analysis of the results of X-ray examination of 23 children with instability of the distal radioulnar joint of traumatic origin aged 9 to 17 years (mean age - 14.21 2.5 years) - the main group. For comparison, radiographs of the contralateral forearms of the same patients were analyzed - the comparison group (23 children), and radiographs of the forearm of 69 pediatric patients without signs of DRJI (control group). On radiographs in the anteroposterior and lateral projections, the following radiometric parameters were evaluated: radioulnar and volar angles, radioulnar index, radioulnar distance, and the difference between the radioulnar distances of both forearms. Results. In 19 patients of the main group, a "positive variant" of the radioulnar index with dislocation of the head of the ulna was revealed, while the indicators of the radioulnar and volar angle were characterized by variability in values. The average values of radiometric parameters of DRJI in children without bone-traumatic changes of the forearm are comparable to normal values in adults. Conclusion. In children with DRJI of traumatic origin, various changes were revealed radiometric indicators of the distal parts of the bones of the forearm, which depend on the type of forearm fracture. In a particular pediatric patient with DRJI of traumatic origin, these indicators reflect the biomechanical features of the wrist joint, which must be taken into account when planning surgical intervention and predicting the recovery of the anatomy and function of the forearm.