Scenario
An 8 year old boy is brought to your emergency department after injuring his right arm in a fall from his bicycle. This is an isolated injury.
Question
a. Describe and interpret his X-ray. (50%) b. Outline your management of this boy. (50%)
Answer
FACEM VAQ Exam 2005.2 – Question 5
- The overall pass rate for this question was 44/56 (78.6%).
- The X-ray shows a displaced supracondylar fracture
- This was considered a straight forward question that most well prepared candidates would easily pass. The description/interpretation needed to include not only the grossly displaced fracture but also specifically mention that this is associated with the risk of neurovascular injury.
- Failing answers incorrectly described the film as a dislocation, did not emphasise the need for urgent reduction if there was vascular compromise and did not mention the paediatric specific issues of parental involvement (ie they only managed the fracture and not the child).
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