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XR Elbow

XRNo contrastMSK
Indications
  • Elbow pain/trauma
  • Suspected fracture (radial head, supracondylar)
  • Effusion (fat pad sign)
  • Dislocation
  • Arthritis
Patient prep
  • Remove radiopaque objects from arm
Contrast
None / non-contrast
Technique
  • AP: arm fully extended, hand supinated, CR perpendicular to mid-elbow joint (~0.75 inch distal to epicondyles)
  • Lateral: elbow flexed 90 deg, hand in true lateral (thumb up), CR to elbow joint
  • Internal and external oblique: 45 deg rotation
  • SID 40 inches; kVp ~60-70; tabletop
Series / Sequences
#Series / SequencePlaneNotes
1APFrontalFull extension, hand supinated; CR to mid joint
2LateralSagittalFlexed 90 deg, true lateral; demonstrates fat pads; CR to elbow joint
Key points
  • External (lateral) oblique demonstrates radial head/capitellum; internal (medial) oblique demonstrates coronoid process
  • Radial head/capitellum (Coyle) view for subtle radial head fractures
  • Two AP views (one with humerus parallel, one with forearm parallel) if patient cannot fully extend
  • Posterior fat pad sign indicates joint effusion/occult fracture
References
• Bontrager's Handbook - Elbow
• Merrill's Atlas Vol 1 - Upper Limb
• Radiopaedia: Elbow series link
Source: Researched — verify against your institution
‹ PreviousXR Ankle
Reference template — verify and adapt to your scanner, vendor and institution before clinical use. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.