Eoin Carl Kavanagh MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Adam C. Zoga MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Imran Muhammad Omar MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stephanie Maria Ford MBBCh, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Mark E. Schweitzer MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Stephen John Eustace MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Bipartite patella is a known cause of biomechanical anterior knee pain. Findings on radiography and bone scintigraphy have been described in the diagnosis of this condition. We detail the MRI features of bipartite patella in 53 patients presenting with knee pain.

MRI exams from 53 patients with bipartite patella and a history of knee pain were evaluated to assess for the presence of bone marrow edema within the bipartite fragment and for the presence of abnormal signal across the synchondrosis. Any other significant knee pathology seen at MRI was also recorded. We also reviewed 400 knee MRI studies to determine the MRI incidence of bipartite patella.

Of the 53 patients with bipartite patella 40 (75%) were male. 35 (66%) had edema within the bipartite fragment. Of the 18 with no edema an alternative explanation for knee pain was found in 13 (72%). Edema within the bipartite fragment was the sole finding in 26 of 53 (49%) patients presenting with knee pain. Bipartite patella was seen in 3 (0.7%) of 400 patients.

In patients presenting with knee pain and bipartite patella, bone marrow edema within the bipartite fragment was the sole finding in almost half of the patients in our series.

We report the MRI findings of patients with bipartite patella and knee pain. In approximately half of these patients edema within the bipartite fragment is the sole finding seen at knee MRI.

Kavanagh, E, Zoga, A, Omar, I, Ford, S, Schweitzer, M, Eustace, S, MRI Findings in Painful Bipartite Patella.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4431629.html