Humeral septal aperture associated with supracondylar process: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The supracondylar process is usually a beak-like osseous prominence located at the anteromedial aspect of the distal portion of the humerus. It is usually asymptomatic but occasionally may compress underlying structures such as the median or ulnar nerve, the brachial artery or its branches. The term septal aperture defines an oval or round shaped bony defect of the septum that separates the olecranon from the coronoid fossa of the humerus. It is of significance for surgeons because it may alter the fracture pattern at the region and thus their management. We present a rare case of coexistence of supracondylar process and septal aperture in a macerated left humerus. The reported incidence of the supracondylar process alone varies from 0.28% to 2.78%, while that of the septal aperture from 6.9% to 60%. We have reviewed the literature and emphasized the radiological and surgical significance of the findings.