Is there a "spilled teacup" on this 4 view wrist x-ray to suggest a lunate dislocation?

Arrow denotes area of maximal pain.  Click on image to enlarge.

Arrow denotes area of maximal pain.  Click on image to enlarge.


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Yes there is a "spilled teacup" but no, there is not a lunate dislocation.

There is a "spilled teacup" on the lateral oblique film (bottom right corner) however this is normal on a lateral oblique film and does not represent a lunate dislocation.  Notice that on the lateral film (bottom left corner) there is smooth articulation between the distal radius and lunate, the lunate and capitate, and the capitate and third metacarpal as there should be in a normal lateral wrist x-ray.  There is no "spilled teacup" on the lateral view and hence no lunate dislocation.

Click here to view an example of a lunate dislocation with a "spilled teacup" on the lateral view.


Source

Lin, M.  "Pitfalls in Radiographic Interpretation, Part 1"  EMedhome.com