RadteraXR 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 / Sequence | Plane | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AP | Frontal | Full extension, hand supinated; CR to mid joint |
| 2 | Lateral | Sagittal | Flexed 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
• Lampignano JP, Kendrick LE. Bontrager's Handbook of Radiographic Positioning and Techniques. 11th ed. Elsevier; elbow chapter.
• Rollins JH, Long BW, Curtis T. Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures, Volume 1. 15th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022. Chapter 5: Upper Limb. link
• Radiopaedia: Elbow series link
• Rollins JH, Long BW, Curtis T. Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures, Volume 1. 15th ed. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022. Chapter 5: Upper Limb. link
• Radiopaedia: Elbow series link
Source: Researched — verify against your institution
Reference template — verify and adapt to your scanner, vendor and institution before clinical use. Not a substitute for clinical judgment.