In adults, the occult fracture is most commonly of the radial head while in children a non-displaced supracondylar fracture should be suspected. Any visualisation of the posterior fat pad is a sign of an elbow joint effusion.Īn elbow joint effusion in the setting of trauma is typically a sign of an occult fracture. A posterior fat pad sign was defined as any visible posterior fat pad on the lateral elbow radiograph. According to Skaggs et al, 14 76 of patients with a positive fat-pad sign had a non. A supracondylar humerus fracture was considered the most common fracture in case of a positive fat pad sign without visible fracture. She develops immediate-onset left elbow pain and swelling. The posterior fat pad is not normally visible on a lateral image as it is hidden within the olecranon fossa. The posterior fat- pad sign is suggestive of the presence of a non-displaced fracture of the elbow (Fig. An 7-year-old girl falls from a jungle gym and lands on her outstretched left hand. Normally the anterior fat pad is only seen as a straight line parallelling the distal humerus. ![]() The sail sign refers to the triangular appearance of the displaced low-density anterior fat pad. ![]() While the fluid itself is not discretely seen because it is the same density as the surrounding muscles, an effusion can be inferred by observing displacement of the anterior and/or posterior fat-pads surrounding the distal humerus. Some authors suggest that a positive fat pad sign could be indicative of an occult fracture and that non- routine methods are needed to demonstrate fractures. Recognising an elbow joint effusion on lateral radiographs is an essential radiology skill.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |