Fracture or a normal ossification center?
This is a common question heard when viewing an xray of a pediatric elbow. How do you remember the timing of normal ossification centers? FYI, the xray images above are normal and have no fractures.
Trick of the Trade:
The mnemonic CRITOE 1-3-5-7-9-11
- Age 1 year: Capitellum
- Age 3 years: Radial head
- Age 5 years: Internal (medial) epicondyle
- Age 7 years: Trochlea
- Age 9 years: Olecranon
- Age 11 years: External (lateral) epicondyle
This great video is from a relatively new YouTube channel that I stumbled upon called "Radiology Channel", which is a Radiopaedia.org project featuring short polished presentations by Dr Andrew Dixon, Dr Frank Gaillard and Dr Jeremy Jones.
I always had an easier time remembering Come-Ride-My-Train-Of-Love. (replaced with medial and lateral epicondyle)
ReplyDeleteI was taught "Come Rub My Tree Of Love." I guess we're a bit dirty in Canada. Has a memorable ring to it, though!
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely more memorable, R-rated memory aid. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteSome years ago I wrote a blog piece about this very topic (together with a Dire Straits reference!):
ReplyDeletehttp://theoctopustrap.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/neon-burning-up-above.html
(I've also realised that I've neglected my blog for some years.)
Nice! If you have items that you'd like to share on an as-needed basis, I'd love to have you post some on our blog.
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