Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 1/2014

01-01-2014 | Case Report

Late diagnosis of a McFarland fracture: imaging and treatment

Authors: Panagiotis D. Symeonidis, George Ath Konstantinidis, Panagiotis S. Dionellis, John Ousatzopoulos, Panagiotis G. Givisis

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 1/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

McFarland fractures represent a type of oblique medial malleolar fracture in children that can be challenging to diagnose and treat. A 14-year-old junior league soccer player with a Salter Harris type IV McFarland fracture presented late, as the initial routine two views radiological assessment failed to reveal a clear fracture line. The addition of a mortise ankle view led to the correct diagnosis and subsequent MRI findings guided nonsurgical treatment with an excellent outcome. The debate between obtaining two or three views in closed pediatric ankle injuries according to the so-called Ottawa rules and the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the decision making for the choice of treatment of McFarland fractures are discussed in this case report.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Kling Jr TF. Operative treatment of ankle fractures in children. Orthop Clin North Am. 1990;21(2):381–92.PubMed Kling Jr TF. Operative treatment of ankle fractures in children. Orthop Clin North Am. 1990;21(2):381–92.PubMed
2.
go back to reference McFarland B. Traumatic arrest of epiphyseal growth of the lower end of tibia. Br J Surg;1931:78–82 McFarland B. Traumatic arrest of epiphyseal growth of the lower end of tibia. Br J Surg;1931:78–82
3.
go back to reference Gleizes V, Glorion C, Langlais J, Pouliquen JC. McFarland fractures. A series of 24 cases. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 2000;86(4):373–80.PubMed Gleizes V, Glorion C, Langlais J, Pouliquen JC. McFarland fractures. A series of 24 cases. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 2000;86(4):373–80.PubMed
4.
go back to reference Camilleri JP, Leroux J, Bourelle S, Vanel O, Cottalorda J. [Mc Farland fractures: a retrospective study of 26 cases]. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 2005;91(6):551–7.PubMedCrossRef Camilleri JP, Leroux J, Bourelle S, Vanel O, Cottalorda J. [Mc Farland fractures: a retrospective study of 26 cases]. Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot. 2005;91(6):551–7.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Duran JA, Dayer R, Kaelin A, Ceroni D. Intraoperative arthrography for the evaluation of closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of displaced McFarland fractures: an alternative to open surgery. J Pediatr Orthop. 2011;31(1):e1–5.PubMedCrossRef Duran JA, Dayer R, Kaelin A, Ceroni D. Intraoperative arthrography for the evaluation of closed reduction and percutaneous fixation of displaced McFarland fractures: an alternative to open surgery. J Pediatr Orthop. 2011;31(1):e1–5.PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Blackburn EW, Aronsson DD, Rubright JH, Lisle JW. Ankle fractures in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2012;94(13):1234–44.PubMedCrossRef Blackburn EW, Aronsson DD, Rubright JH, Lisle JW. Ankle fractures in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2012;94(13):1234–44.PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Cottalorda J, Béranger V, Louahem D, Camilleri JP, Launay F, Diméglio A, et al. Salter-Harris Type III and IV medial malleolar fractures: growth arrest: is it a fate? A retrospective study of 48 cases with open reduction. J Pediatr Orthop. 2008;28:652–5.PubMedCrossRef Cottalorda J, Béranger V, Louahem D, Camilleri JP, Launay F, Diméglio A, et al. Salter-Harris Type III and IV medial malleolar fractures: growth arrest: is it a fate? A retrospective study of 48 cases with open reduction. J Pediatr Orthop. 2008;28:652–5.PubMedCrossRef
8.
go back to reference Clark KD, Tanner S. Evaluation of the Ottawa ankle rules in children. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2003;19(2):73–8.PubMedCrossRef Clark KD, Tanner S. Evaluation of the Ottawa ankle rules in children. Pediatr Emerg Care. 2003;19(2):73–8.PubMedCrossRef
9.
go back to reference Dowling SK, Wishart I. Use of the Ottawa ankle rules in children: a survey of physicians’ practice patterns. CJEM. 2011;13(5):333–8. E44–6.PubMed Dowling SK, Wishart I. Use of the Ottawa ankle rules in children: a survey of physicians’ practice patterns. CJEM. 2011;13(5):333–8. E44–6.PubMed
10.
go back to reference Tandeter HB, Shvartzman P. Acute ankle injuries: clinical decision rules for radiographs. Am Fam Physician. 1997;55(8):2721–8.PubMed Tandeter HB, Shvartzman P. Acute ankle injuries: clinical decision rules for radiographs. Am Fam Physician. 1997;55(8):2721–8.PubMed
11.
go back to reference Wallis MG. Are three views necessary to examine acute ankle injuries? Clin Radiol. 1990;41(3):218.CrossRef Wallis MG. Are three views necessary to examine acute ankle injuries? Clin Radiol. 1990;41(3):218.CrossRef
13.
go back to reference Hübner U, Schlicht W, Outzen S, Barthel M, Halsband H. Ultrasound in the diagnosis of fractures in children. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2000;82(8):1170–3.PubMedCrossRef Hübner U, Schlicht W, Outzen S, Barthel M, Halsband H. Ultrasound in the diagnosis of fractures in children. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2000;82(8):1170–3.PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Brandser EA, Berbaum KS, Dorfman DD, Braksiek RJ, El-Khoury GY, Saltzman CL, et al. Contribution of individual projections alone and in combination for radiographic detection of ankle fractures. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;174(6):1691–7.PubMedCrossRef Brandser EA, Berbaum KS, Dorfman DD, Braksiek RJ, El-Khoury GY, Saltzman CL, et al. Contribution of individual projections alone and in combination for radiographic detection of ankle fractures. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;174(6):1691–7.PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Vargish T, Clarke WR, Young RA, Jensen A. The ankle injury–indications for the selective use of X-rays. Injury. 1983;14:507–12.PubMedCrossRef Vargish T, Clarke WR, Young RA, Jensen A. The ankle injury–indications for the selective use of X-rays. Injury. 1983;14:507–12.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Stiell IG, Greenberg GH, McKnight RD, Nair RC, McDowell I, Worthington JR. A study to develop clinical decision rules for the use of radiography in acute ankle injuries. Ann Emerg Med. 1992;21(4):384–90.PubMedCrossRef Stiell IG, Greenberg GH, McKnight RD, Nair RC, McDowell I, Worthington JR. A study to develop clinical decision rules for the use of radiography in acute ankle injuries. Ann Emerg Med. 1992;21(4):384–90.PubMedCrossRef
17.
go back to reference Pigman EC, Klug RK, Sanford S, Jolly BT. Evaluation of the Ottawa clinical decision rules for the use of radiography in acute ankle and midfoot injuries in the emergency department: an independent site assessment. Ann Emerg Med. 1994;24(1):41–5.PubMedCrossRef Pigman EC, Klug RK, Sanford S, Jolly BT. Evaluation of the Ottawa clinical decision rules for the use of radiography in acute ankle and midfoot injuries in the emergency department: an independent site assessment. Ann Emerg Med. 1994;24(1):41–5.PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Boutis K, Schuh S. Prospective validation and head-to-head comparison of 3 ankle rules in a pediatric population. Ann Emerg Med. 2010;55(4):391–2.PubMedCrossRef Boutis K, Schuh S. Prospective validation and head-to-head comparison of 3 ankle rules in a pediatric population. Ann Emerg Med. 2010;55(4):391–2.PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Myers A, Canty K, Nelson T. Are the Ottawa ankle rules helpful in ruling out the need for x ray examination in children? Arch Dis Child. 2005;90(12):1309–11.PubMedCrossRef Myers A, Canty K, Nelson T. Are the Ottawa ankle rules helpful in ruling out the need for x ray examination in children? Arch Dis Child. 2005;90(12):1309–11.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Dowling S, Spooner CH, Liang Y, Dryden DM, Friesen C, Klassen TP, et al. Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and midfoot in children: a meta-analysis. Acad Emerg Med. 2009;16(4):277–87.PubMedCrossRef Dowling S, Spooner CH, Liang Y, Dryden DM, Friesen C, Klassen TP, et al. Accuracy of Ottawa ankle rules to exclude fractures of the ankle and midfoot in children: a meta-analysis. Acad Emerg Med. 2009;16(4):277–87.PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Boutis K, Komar L, Jaramillo D, Babyn P, Alman B, Snyder B, et al. Sensitivity of a clinical examination to predict need for radiography in children with ankle injuries: a prospective study. Lancet. 2001;358(9299):2118–21.PubMedCrossRef Boutis K, Komar L, Jaramillo D, Babyn P, Alman B, Snyder B, et al. Sensitivity of a clinical examination to predict need for radiography in children with ankle injuries: a prospective study. Lancet. 2001;358(9299):2118–21.PubMedCrossRef
22.
go back to reference Petscavage J, Baker SR, Clarkin K, Luk L. Overuse of concomitant foot radiographic series in patients sustaining minor ankle injuries. Emerg Radiol. 2010;17(4):261–5.PubMedCrossRef Petscavage J, Baker SR, Clarkin K, Luk L. Overuse of concomitant foot radiographic series in patients sustaining minor ankle injuries. Emerg Radiol. 2010;17(4):261–5.PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Cockshott WP, Jenkin JK, Pui M. Limiting the use of routine radiography for acute ankle injuries. Can Med Assoc J. 1983;129:129–31.PubMed Cockshott WP, Jenkin JK, Pui M. Limiting the use of routine radiography for acute ankle injuries. Can Med Assoc J. 1983;129:129–31.PubMed
24.
go back to reference Vangsness Jr CT, Carter V, Hunt T, Kerr R, Newton E. Radiographic diagnosis of ankle fractures: are three views necessary? Foot Ankle Int. 1994;15:172–4.PubMedCrossRef Vangsness Jr CT, Carter V, Hunt T, Kerr R, Newton E. Radiographic diagnosis of ankle fractures: are three views necessary? Foot Ankle Int. 1994;15:172–4.PubMedCrossRef
25.
go back to reference Brage ME, Rockett M, Vraney R, Anderson R, Toledano A. Ankle fracture classification: a comparison of reliability of three X-ray views versus two. Foot Ankle Int. 1998;19(8):555–62.PubMedCrossRef Brage ME, Rockett M, Vraney R, Anderson R, Toledano A. Ankle fracture classification: a comparison of reliability of three X-ray views versus two. Foot Ankle Int. 1998;19(8):555–62.PubMedCrossRef
26.
go back to reference Devalentine SJ. Epiphyseal injuries of the foot and ankle. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 1987;4(1):279–310.PubMed Devalentine SJ. Epiphyseal injuries of the foot and ankle. Clin Podiatr Med Surg. 1987;4(1):279–310.PubMed
27.
go back to reference De Sanctis N, Della Corte S, Pempinello C. Distal tibial and fibular epiphyseal fractures in children: prognostic criteria and long-term results in 158 patients. J Pediatr Orthop Part B. 2000;9:40Y44. De Sanctis N, Della Corte S, Pempinello C. Distal tibial and fibular epiphyseal fractures in children: prognostic criteria and long-term results in 158 patients. J Pediatr Orthop Part B. 2000;9:40Y44.
28.
go back to reference Mouterde P, Rigault P, Padovani JP, Finidori G. [Traumatic injuries of the epiphyseal plate in the lower extremity of the tibia]. Chir Pediatr. 1979;20(2):115–23.PubMed Mouterde P, Rigault P, Padovani JP, Finidori G. [Traumatic injuries of the epiphyseal plate in the lower extremity of the tibia]. Chir Pediatr. 1979;20(2):115–23.PubMed
29.
go back to reference Nenopoulos SP, Papavasiliou VA, Papavasiliou AV. Outcome of physeal and epiphyseal injuries of the distal tibia with intra-articular involvement. J Pediatr Orthop. 2005;25(4):518–22.PubMedCrossRef Nenopoulos SP, Papavasiliou VA, Papavasiliou AV. Outcome of physeal and epiphyseal injuries of the distal tibia with intra-articular involvement. J Pediatr Orthop. 2005;25(4):518–22.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Late diagnosis of a McFarland fracture: imaging and treatment
Authors
Panagiotis D. Symeonidis
George Ath Konstantinidis
Panagiotis S. Dionellis
John Ousatzopoulos
Panagiotis G. Givisis
Publication date
01-01-2014
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 1/2014
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-013-1680-x

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

Skeletal Radiology 1/2014 Go to the issue

Test Yourself: Question

Painful left thigh mass