Ultrasound diagnosis and surgical pathology of the torn interosseous membrane in forearm fractures/dislocations.

Abstract

Ultrasound was used to effectively diagnose and precisely locate a torn interosseous membrane in 2 forearm fracture/dislocations. The ultrasound appearance of the torn interosseous membrane in cadavers and in the fractures/dislocations shows disruption of the anterior and posterior layers in midsubstance or adjacent to the radius or ulna. The surgical pathology in 3 forearm fractures/dislocations (2 Galeazzi injuries and 1 Essex-Lopresti injury) shows a longitudinal oblique tear of the interosseous membrane, parallel to its major palmar fibers, oriented from proximal radial to the distal ulnar. After ultrasound diagnosis, we demonstrated the feasibility of direct primary repair of the torn interosseous membrane associated with the Essex-Lopresti injury in a clinical case.