A Widely Displaced Galeazzi Equivalent Lesion with Median Nerve Compromise

Abstract

We present the case of a 14-year-old patient with a right distal radial fracture accompanied by a severely displaced complete distal ulnar physeal separation and associated median nerve compromise. This injury is known as Galeazziequivalent lesion in children and is an extremely rare injury associated with growth arrest. Recognition of the lesion can be difficult but wide displacement may be associated with other significant injuries such as neurovascular compromise. Prompt intervention reversed the neurological symptoms. At ten months after the operation, neither growth arrest nor loss of range of motion has occurred. A review of the literature identifies a number of important reasons that dictate prompt reduction when there is complete separation of the ulna physis mainly because of soft tissue interposition or capsule problems.