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The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of Multi Slice Computed Tomography (MSCT) on the understanding of the spatial displacement of supracondylar humeral (SCH) fractures, their classification and their management. A prospective study was conducted on 63 children with SCH fractures Gartland II or Lagrange 2 and 3, over a period of 30 months. The patients were 42 boys and 21 girls, aged between 3 and 14. All patients were imaged using conventional radiography. Thirty-two patients underwent MSCT and 3-dimensional reconstructions. According to the Lagrange classification system, 16 patients had type 2 fractures and 47 had type 3 fractures. In type 2, the posterior cortices of both medial and lateral columns were bent on CT (n = 6). In type 3, CT-scan made it possible to distinguish two subgroups. In the first subgroup (n = 12) there was fracture of both anterior and posterior cortices of the lateral column; however, the posterior cortical surface of the medial column was preserved. In the second subgroup (n = 14), there was no cortical surface contact in the medial column, but the continuity of the posterior cortical surface of the lateral column was preserved. Based on a new concept of column stability, the use of CT-scan has allowed for a better understanding of supracondylar fractures in children.

Idiopathic tumoral calcinosis is an unusual benign condition characterized by the presence of calcified soft tissue masses of varying size around the joints. In this retrospective study,clinical data and radiological features of nine cases of idiopathic tumoral calcinosis are reviewed. Imaging features, particularly magnetic resonance imaging findings are detailed.

Septic arthritis of a lumbar facet joint (SALFJ) is a very rare condition. It has mostly been described in adults. Only one other paediatric case has been reported. We present a case of septic arthritis of the left L5-S1 lumbar facet joint, associated with epiduritis and paraspinal abscess, in an 8-year-old boy. Plain radiographs and Technetium bone scan were negative. The diagnosis was made by blood cultures, which isolated staphylococcus epidermidis, and by MRI. The child was treated successfully with antibiotics only.

The authors report two cases of bone disorders in children with short stature, with confirmed growth hormone (GH) deficiency treated by GH supplementation. The first patient, aged 15 years, developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head and scoliosis. The second one, aged 17 years, had avascular necrosis of the femoral capital epiphysis on one side and acute slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) on the other side. All these complications were diagnosed while they were receiving GH-therapy. The exact aetiology and the role of GH in the pathogenesis of these conditions are still unknown.