Marcus Ghuman MBChB, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Clinton Henry Pinto MBChB, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Damien Richard Hoon FRANZCR, MBChB, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

 • Knee joint lipohaemarthrosis results from intra-articular or patella fracture, with tibial plateau fracture being the fracture most commonly associated with this finding. The majority of tibial plateau fractures will however, manifest with a haemarthrosis – which appears radiographically as a simple effusion. • An ankle joint effusion manifests radiographically as anterior displacement of the pretalar fat pad and posterior displacement of the juxta articular fat pad. An ankle joint effusion of 13mm or more has a positive predictive value of 82% for occult fracture. • The incidence of occult fracture with elbow joint effusion is high. In children, the associated injury may be supracondylar (the traditional teaching) but lateral condyle and radial head fractures are not uncommon, and are often overlooked. Radial head injury is the most common associated injury in adults. • Displacement of the pronator quadratus and scaphoid fat stripes are unreliable signs of occult distal radius and scaphoid fracture, respectively.  

Plain radiographic images of effusions of large joints (e.g. knee, elbow, ankle etc) and selected small joints, with cross sectional imaging correlation. Discussion of the key plain radiographic imaging findings, underlying anatomy, and salient clinico-radiologic anecdotes.

http://abstract.rsna.org/uploads/2014/14001712/14001712_oz34.pdf

Ghuman, M, Pinto, C, Hoon, D, Radiographic Findings in Joint Effusion with MRI and/or CT Correlation - A Pictorial Essay.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14001712.html