[Late sequelae and treatment strategies of distal radio-ulnar dissociation after undetected Essex-Lopresti lesion]

Outcome of Early and Late Diagnosed Essex-Lopresti Injury

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the outcomes in a large series of Essex-Lopresti injuries (ELIs) and to compare patients with early and late diagnoses.

METHODS

Thirty-one patients with an ELI (average age and standard deviation [SD], 46 ± 10 years) who were followed for a minimum of 2 years were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to whether the ELI had been diagnosed early (on the day of the injury) or late (>4 weeks after the radial head injury). Acute treatment of early-diagnosed ELI included temporary stabilization of the distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ) by Kirschner wires with the forearm in supination for 6 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed on the basis of the range of motion, Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS), Mayo Wrist Score (MWS), visual analog scale (VAS) score for wrist and elbow pain, and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score.

RESULTS

The ELI was diagnosed on the day of the injury in 16 patients (52%; the early group) and late (at a mean of 7 ± 7 months; range, 1 to 24 months) in 15 (48%; the late group). After a mean duration of follow-up of 5.3 ± 3.0 years (range, 2.0 to 13.1 years), patients with an early diagnosed ELI had significantly better clinical outcomes, compared with those with a late diagnosis, with regard to the MEPS (91.3 ± 8.7 versus 74.7 ± 15.3, p = 0.003), MWS (81.3 ± 16.5 versus 66.3 ± 17.6, p = 0.019), DASH score (12.5 ± 8.7 versus 45.3 ± 23.5, p = 0.001), VAS elbow pain score (0.7 ± 1.1 versus 3.3 ± 2.1, p = 0.001), and VAS wrist pain score (0.9 ± 1.2 versus 3.9 ± 1.7, p < 0.001). The ranges of motion of the elbow and wrist did not differ significantly between the early and late groups (p > 0.05). A significantly lower percentage of patients had complications or subsequent surgical procedures in the early than in the late group (38% [6 of 16] versus 93% [14 of 15], p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Early diagnosis of an ELI with temporary stabilization of the DRUJ leads to satisfactory clinical mid-term results, whereas late diagnosis of an ELI is associated with a deteriorated outcome.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

The Essex-Lopresti lesion

The Essex-Lopresti lesion represents a severe injury of the forearm unit. In the 1940s, it’s pathology and consequences have already been mentioned by several authors. Over the course of time, the pathophysiology of the lesion was displayed in more detail. Therefore, an intensive analysis of the involved anatomic structures was done. The interosseous membrane was shown to play a major role in stabilising the forearm unit, in the situation of a fractured radial head, which is the primary stabiliser of the longitudinal forearm stability. Moreover, biomechanical analyses showed a relevant attribution of the distal radio-ulnar joint to the forearm stability. If, in the case of a full-blown Essex-Lopresti lesion, the radial head, the interosseous membrane and the distal radio-ulnar joint are injured, proximalisation of the radius will take place and will come along with secondary symptoms at the elbow joint and the wrist. According to actual studies, the lesion seems to occur more often than realised up to now. Thus, to avoid missing the complex injury, subtle clinical diagnosis combined with adequate imaging has to be undertaken. If the lesion is confirmed, several operative treatment options are available, yet not proofed to be sufficient.

A primarily overlooked and incorrectly treated Essex-Lopresti injury: what can this lead to?

INTRODUCTION

What result can one expect in treating an Essex-Lopresti lesion--a rare complex combination injury of the forearm consisting of a radial head fracture and a rupture of the interosseous membrane--which failed to be identified at first?

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We report on a 45-year-old poly traumatized patient in which a primary Essex-Lopresti injury was overlooked following a dislocated radial head fracture. A radial head resection followed by an ulna-shortening osteotomy was performed with disastrous consequences at another clinic. As a result of persistent instability in the distal radioulnar joint, we implanted a mono-polar radial head prosthesis, which was subsequently changed as a result of a loosening of the prosthesis and persistent complex instability and pain in the area of the entire forearm, while an ulna osteotomy had to be carried out to correct this. This prosthesis also loosened, which destroyed the capitulum humeri.

RESULTS

It was only after a specially designed modular radial head prosthesis with a capitulum shield was implanted and an elapse of 5(1/2) years of the illness that permanent stability could be achieved on the forearm and the pain experienced by the patient eliminated while at the same time the patient regained a moderate degree of functioning and grip strength.

CONCLUSION

An overlooked primary and ultimately initially incorrectly treated Essex-Lopresti injury can degenerate into a real therapeutic disaster.

THE RESULT

Years of illness and multiple corrective operations which only serve to limit the collateral damage caused by the wrong therapy strategy and ultimately only lead to restoration of moderate function. The crucial factor is an early diagnosis. Then a radial head prosthesis should first be implanted in an operation in order to prevent an additional proximal migration of the radius and to move the distal radioulnar joint into the proper anatomical position.

The undiagnosed Essex-Lopresti injury

The Essex-Lopresti injury is rare. It consists of fracture of the head of the radius, rupture of the interosseous membrane and disruption of the distal radioulnar joint. The injury is often missed because attention is directed towards the fracture of the head of the radius. We present a series of 12 patients with a mean age of 44.9 years (26 to 54), 11 of whom were treated surgically at a mean of 4.6 months (1 to 16) after injury and the other after 18 years. They were followed up for a mean of 29.2 months (2 to 69). Ten patients had additional injuries to the forearm or wrist, which made diagnosis more difficult. Replacement of the head of the radius was carried out in ten patients and the Sauve-Kapandji procedure in three. Patients were assessed using standard outcome scores. The mean post-operative Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 55 (37 to 83), the mean Morrey Elbow Performance score was 72.2 (39 to 92) and the mean Mayo wrist score was 61.3 (35 to 80). The mean grip strength was 68.5% (39.6% to 91.3%) of the unaffected wrist.

Most of the patients (10 of 12) were satisfied with their operation and in 11 the pain was relieved. When treating the chronic Essex-Lopresti injury, we recommend accurate realignment of the radius and ulna and replacement of the head of the radius. If this fails a Sauve-Kapandji procedure to arthrodese the distal radioulnar joint should be undertaken to stabilise the forearm while maintaining mobility.

[Diagnosis and treatment of the Essex-Lopresti lesion. Literature review and four case reports]

BACKGROUND

A fracture of the radial head in combination with a rupture of the interosseous membrane and lesion of the distal radioulnar joint known as Essex-Lopresti lesion is a rare injury. Usually it is caused by a high-energy trauma. Initially unrecognized distal radioulnar dislocations often show poor results.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Four case reports are presented to discuss the trauma mechanism together with diagnostic and treatment options. Especially the accuracy of ultrasound to diagnose an interosseous membrane disruption was evaluated.

RESULTS

After an average of 35 months all patients were examined using the Morrey score and the modified score of Green and O'Brien. Initially the extent of the injury was not diagnosed in three cases. According to the score values the average results have been fair.

CONCLUSIONS

An early diagnosis is the key for the correct treatment of an Essex-Lopresti lesion based on the classification of Edwards and Jupiter. In addition to the clinical and radiological assessment ultrasound should be used to diminish the rate of unrecognized interosseous membrane disruptions.