What causes Lead Pipe Fracture in long bones on radiography?
Let me know in the comments.
Click to reveal the answer
Answer:
Lead Pipe Fracture is a descriptive term for a pediatric long bone fracture that results from a combination of a greenstick and a torus (buckle) fracture in the same bone. This injury is typically seen in children due to the relative flexibility and plasticity of their bones, which allows for incomplete fracture patterns under compressive and bending forces.
Why is it called so?
The term “Lead Pipe Fracture” is derived from the appearance of the affected bone, which resembles a bent lead pipe—partially deformed but not completely broken, reflecting the mixed pattern of incomplete fractures.
Pathophysiology
The sign develops when a child’s bone is subjected to longitudinal compression and bending forces, leading to a buckle (torus) fracture on the compressed side and a greenstick fracture (incomplete break with cortical disruption on the tension side) on the opposite side. This combination results in a bone that is partially bent and partially fractured, mimicking the deformity seen in a bent lead pipe.
Alternative names:
None
Other associated named signs:
Greenstick fracture, Torus (buckle) fracture
Access all radiology signs posted so far: http://radiogyan.com/radiology-signs/
Improve Content And Help Your Colleagues!
Found an error in the post? Please let us know using our contact page and we will update it with due credits!
If you wish to contribute radiological images for this case (or any other article on the website), you can submit them here and you will be duly credited: Submit radiology case