Pediatric Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow

• Etiology:
  — Repetitive compressive or shear forces at radiocapitellar joint
  — Shear injury leads to vascular insufficiency
  — Occurs when ossification is near complete
• Imaging Radiograph:
  — Insensitive
  — Lucency in capitellum
  — Recommend comparison with asymptomatic side elbow radiograph for assessment of fragmentation versus normal variant
• Imaging MRI:
  — Lesion usually anterolateral in capitellum and is at periphery of ossifying epiphysis and deep to articular surface
  — T1WI: Low signal intensity
  — T2WI: Variable signal intensity
• DDX:
  — Panner disease: Younger 7-12 years, affects all or part of capitellum, normal overlying cartilage, no loose body formation
  — Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow: Older age group 12-15 years, affects anterolateral capitellum, may have overlying cartilage defects or loose bodies
• Complications:
• Treatment:
• Clinical: In 11-17 years old playing baseball, gymnastics, weightlifting, javelin throwing

Radiology Cases of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Elbow