Case Resolution Normal Glenoid Ossification Mimicking a Fracture in an Adolescent Patient

Main Article Content

Nicolás Rabello
J. Javier Masquijo
Lucas D. Marangoni

Abstract

Differentiating normal ossification variants from fractures in children and adolescents with shoulder trauma is a common diagnostic challenge. We report the case of a 14-year-old male who, after a sports-related injury, was initially diagnosed with a glenoid fracture based on radiographs and computed tomography (CT). Subsequent evaluation, including a detailed physical examination and contralateral shoulder radiographs, showed that the suspected fracture represented normal ossification of the scapular growth centers. This case underscores the importance of a solid understanding of developmental anatomy, a thorough clinical examination, and the use of comparative imaging to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment in this population.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Article Details

How to Cite
Rabello, N., Masquijo, J. J., & Marangoni, L. D. (2025). Case Resolution. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 90(4), 405-408. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2025.90.4.2188
Section
Postgraduate instruction - Images
Author Biographies

Nicolás Rabello, Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

J. Javier Masquijo, Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Lucas D. Marangoni, Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

Orthopedics and Traumatology Department, Sanatorio Allende, Córdoba, Argentina

References

1. Sidharthan S, Greditzer HG 4th, Heath MR, Suryavanshi JR, Green DW, Fabricant PD. Normal glenoid
ossification in pediatric and adolescent shoulders mimics Bankart lesions: A magnetic resonance imaging-based study. Arthroscopy 2020;36(2):336-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2019.08.011

2. Goldberg AS, Moroz L, Smith A, Ganley T. Injury surveillance in young athletes: a clinician’s guide to sports injury literature. Sports Med 2007;37(3):265-78. https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200737030-00005

3. Zember JS, Rosenberg ZS, Kwong S, Kothary SP, Bedoya MA. Normal skeletal maturation and imaging
pitfalls in the pediatric shoulder. Radiographics 2015;35(4):1108-22. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.2015140254

4. West SW, Shill IJ, Bailey S, Syrydiuk RA, Hayden KA, Palmer D, et al. Injury rates, mechanisms, risk factors and prevention strategies in youth rugby unión: What’s all the ruck-us about? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med 2023;53(7):1375-93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01826-z

5. Kothary S, Rosenberg ZS, Poncinelli LL, Kwong S. Skeletal development of the glenoid and glenoid-coracoid interface in the pediatric population: MRI features. Skeletal Radiol 2014;43(9):1281-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-014-1936-0

6. Delgado J, Jaramillo D, Chauvin NA. Imaging the injured pediatric athlete: Upper extremity. Radiographics 2016;36(6):1672-87. https://doi.org/10.1148/rg.2016160036

7. Lin DJ, Wong TT, Kazam JK. Shoulder injuries in the overhead-throwing athlete: Epidemiology, mechanisms of injury, and imaging findings. Radiology 2018;286(2):370-87. https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2017170481

8. Galán-Olleros M, Egea-Gámez RM, Palazón-Quevedo Á, Martínez-Álvarez S, Suárez Traba OM, Pérez
ME. Normal ossification of the glenoid mimicking a glenoid fracture in an adolescent patient: a case report. Clin Shoulder Elb 2023;26(3):306-11. https://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2022.01151