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Sail sign - elbow

Case contributed by: Dr Frank Gaillard

Presentation:

Trauma

From the case: Sail sign - elbow

Modality: X-ray

X-ray

On lateral elbow radiograph, the anterior fat pad (which is intra-articular, but extra-synovial) becomes elevated due to joint effusion.

From the case: Sail sign - elbow

Modality: CT

CT Sagittal

There is also on sagittal CT, the fat pads of the elbow become elevated due to joint effusion.

From the case: Sail sign - elbow

Modality: Photo

Blue Sail

Image courtesy of McKay Savage. (http://flickr.com/photos/56796376@N00) This file is licensed by the author under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License. If you believe this image is unlawfully reproduced please contact Radiopaedia.org.

Case Discussion:

There is elevated anterior fat pad of the elbow due to joint effusion which is called sail sign.

In adults, this is usually a radial head fracture whereas in children, the commonest cause of a raised elbow fat pad is a supracondylar fracture. Where a fat pad is raised and no fracture is demonstrated, an occult fracture should be suspected.

Related article

sail sign - elbow

References:

Brant WE, Helms CA. Fundamentals of diagnostic radiology. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. (2007) ISBN:0781765188. Read it at Google Books - Find it at Amazon