Pediatric Bowing Fracture

  • Etiology: Trauma
  • Imaging Radiograph:
    — In forearm or lower leg
    — Bending deformity without obvious fracture
    — May or may not see periosteal reaction on followup radiographs
  • DDX:
  • Complications:
  • Treatment:
  • Clinical: Can result in limited supination and pronation of arm if not treated and therefore must be reduced

Radiology Cases of Bowing Fracture

Radiograph of bowing fracture of the fibula
AP (left) and lateral (right) radiographs of the lower extremity show a mildly displaced complete fracture of the tibial diaphysis and a moderately bowed appearance of the fibula.
Radiograph of bowing fractures of the tibia and fibula
AP radiograph of the right femur (left) shows a complete fracture of the femur. AP radiograph of the right tibia and fibula (right) shows the tibia and fibula to be bowed in appearance.
Radiograph of bowing fracture of the radius
Lateral radiograph of the forearm shows a moderate amount of bowing of the radius.
Radiograph of bowing fracture of radius
AP (above) and lateral (below) radiographs of the right forearm show the radius is bowed in appearance when compared to the straightness of the ulna. No obvious fracture is seen.