The purpose of imaging of the elbow region in children after acute trauma is the 
diagnosis of injuries that require further treatment. Basic diagnostic consists 
of standard X-rays of the elbow in two planes. Exceptions can be made in the 
case of nursemaid's elbow lesion (subluxation of the radial head; pronation 
douloureuse; Chassaignac lesion) with unambiguous mechanism of the trauma where 
no X-ray imaging is needed and in heavily dislocated fractures for which one 
plane can be sufficient. X-ray imaging of the uninjured side is obsolete. 
Follow-up X-ray imaging is only allowed if consequences for the further 
treatment are expected. Ultrasound may partially replace X-rays in the future if 
further standardization of this technique can be achieved. MRI provides 
additional information in acute trauma which, however, remains currently without 
consequences for the further treatment strategy.