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Distraction

aka Bone and Joint Bamboozler 007

A 50 year-old man required intubation for seizure control after he presented in status epilepticus. His past history is notable for a brain tumour resection 5 years previously.

His post-intubation chest radiograph is shown below:

CXR Missed shoulder fracture dislcoation

Q1. Describe the findings on CXR

Bamboozler Answer

Aside from the tip of the endotracheal tube being less than 2cm from the carina (i.e. a touch too low), the important abnormality is an injury affecting the right glenohumeral joint and proximal humerus.

This image is a useful reminder that structures outside of the thorax should be scrutinised as part of a systematic approach to chest radiograph interpretation.


Q2. What further imaging should be performed?

Bamboozler Answer

To characterize the injury further, a CT scan of the right glenohumeral joint was performed.

Here are some views of the 3D reconstruction:

These images show a subacromial posterior dislocation of the right glenohumeral joint with a complex defect of the humeral head.

There is a comminuted fracture consisting of 3 parts with separation of both the greater and lesser tuberosities from the rest of the humeral head.


Q3. What is the mechanism of injury?

Bamboozler Answer

Posterior shoulder dislocations can occur during seizures because tetanic contraction of the muscles causing internal rotation and posterior displacement is stronger than the opposing muscles.

The fractures in this case were probably caused by a combination of the impact on the glenoid on the humeral head and avulsive forces from the muscles that insert on the greater tuberosity (supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor) and the lesser tuberosity (subscapularis).

A vertical impaction fracture on the anteromedial surface of the humeral head is known as a trough line or reverse Hill-Sachs deformity.

As well as Epileptic seizures, posterior shoulder dislocations should be suspected in people with shoulder pain who have had:

  • Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)
  • Electrocution
  • heavily Ethanol-ised
  • Extremely high Energy trauma (even a nasty fall onto an outstretched medially-rotated upper limb could do it).

Unless specifically looked for, posterior dislocations accompanying a proximal humerus fracture can be easily missed.


Q4. What is the management?

Bamboozler Answer

This man’s dislocation was reduced while he was intubated and sedated with a view to subsequent operative repair.

Reduction was achieved by applying axial traction in line with the humerus, with some anterior pressure on the humeral head, followed by a combination of ‘gentle’ flexion, adduction and external rotation.

An associated rotator cuff tear may also be present.



TRAUMA LIBRARY 700

CLINICAL CASES

Bone and Joint Bamboozler

BA MA (Oxon) MBChB (Edin) FACEM FFSEM. Emergency physician, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.  Passion for rugby; medical history; medical education; and asynchronous learning #FOAMed evangelist. Co-founder and CTO of Life in the Fast lane | Eponyms | Books | Twitter |

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