Content area
Full text
http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z&domain=pdf
Web End = Skeletal Radiol (2016) 45:11291131 DOI 10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z
http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z&domain=pdf
Web End = http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z&domain=pdf
Web End = http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z&domain=pdf
Web End = http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z&domain=pdf
Web End = http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z&domain=pdf
Web End = http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z&domain=pdf
Web End = http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.1007/s00256-016-2401-z&domain=pdf
Web End = CASE REPORT
Fat drops in wrist tendon sheaths on MRI in conjunction with a radius fracture
Martijn V. Verhagen1 & Ileana Chesaru1
Received: 5 October 2015 /Revised: 23 April 2016 /Accepted: 26 April 2016 /Published online: 12 May 2016 # ISS 2016
Abstract A case is presented in which fat drops are seen on MRI inside extensor compartment 2 and 3, in conjunction with a radius fracture. The occurrence of traumatic tendon sheath fat-fluid levels has been sparsely reported on CT and MR imaging. This case is the first report of post-traumatic tendon sheath fat drops. Although the clinical relevance of tendon sheath fat drops seems to be limited, it is important to detect and correctly diagnose these fat drops in order to provide an accurate and complete radiologic report.
Keywords Fat drops . Tendon sheath . Fracture .
Lipohemarthrosis . Extensor compartments
Introduction
When a fracture involves a joint, fat and blood leak from the fatty bone marrow into the joint. The fat then separates from the blood to form a fat-fluid level. Consequently, when a fat-fluid level is observed on a radiograph there must be a fracture, even if the fracture cannot be recognised. Fat-fluid levels in joints (lipohemarthrosis) and their significance are well known and indisputable. Fat-fluid levels in tendon sheaths have been sparsely reported and their clinical relevance remains unclear, they have been attributed the term floating fat sign [13]. McConnell et al. presented the only prior MRI based case report, demonstrating apparent fat-fluid levels in extensor tendon sheaths of the wrist after trauma [2]. We
present a case with more subtle fat drops instead of fat-fluid levels in the extensor tendon sheaths of the wrist. Though less obvious than lipohemarthrosis or fat-fluid levels, fat drops may be detected by radiologists and it is important to understand and explain their nature. Regardless of the possible clinical relevance, tendon sheath fat drops are an interesting manifestation associated with fractures.
Case report
A 30-year-old woman fell backwards during a tennis match and landed on her...