Joint effusion
Updates to Article Attributes
A joint effusion is defined as an increased amount of fluid within the synovial compartment of a joint.
There is normally only a small amount of physiological intra-articular fluid. Abnormal fluid accumulation can result from inflammation, infection (i.e. pus) or trauma and may be an exudate, transudate, blood and/or fat. As part of an arthrogram deliberate injection into the joint space of a contrast medium results in an iatrogenic effusion.
Lipohaemarthrosis is a particular type of effusion that occurs in the setting of intra-articular fracture where a fat-fluid level is seen due to marrow fat leaking into the joint via the fracture. Fat, being less dense than blood, will float to the surface and present as a 'fat-fluid' level on top of the blood on any radiographs with the horizontal beam parallel to the level. Lipohaemarthroses can occur in other joints (e.g. shoulder) but are most readily identified in the knee.
Recognition of a joint effusion on plain radiographs can be difficult, particularly for the non-radiologist. Appreciation of the typical appearances and signs of joint effusions can assist diagnosis.
Radiographic features
Knee joint effusion
A knee joint effusion appears as well-defined rounded homogeneous soft tissue density within the suprapatellar recess on a lateral radiograph. The effusion will 2:
- separate periarticular fat pads >10 mm
- obliterate the normally crisp posterior border of the quadriceps tendon
- displace the quadriceps tendon and patella anteriorly
Elbow joint effusion
The sail sign is the key to recognising an elbow joint effusion. On a lateral radiograph, an effusion causes displacement of the anterior and posterior fat pads surrounding the distal humerus. The triangular appearance of the displaced low-density fat pad simulates the appearance of a sail.
An elbow joint effusion in the setting of trauma is very often a sign of an occult fracture. In adults, the occult fracture is most commonly of the radial head, whilst in children a non-displaced supracondylar fracture should be suspected.
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Ankle joint effusion
An ankle joint effusion is best seen as a teardrop-shaped soft tissue density displacing the anterior fat pad on a lateral film and lying superior to the talar neck. Effusion within the posterior recess is usually less well-defined. Plain films are sensitive for effusions >5 mL, with US and MRI being more sensitive for smaller effusions 3.
Hip joint effusion
Hip joint effusions are easiest identified on US, CT and MRI. They are difficult to identify on plain radiographs with only one reliable sign described 5:
- asymmetrical widening >1 mm in teardrop distance (between lateral aspect of the pelvic teardrop and most medial aspect of femoral head)
-<p>A <strong>joint effusion</strong> is defined as an increased amount of fluid within the <a title="Synovium" href="/articles/synovium">synovial compartment</a> of a <a title="Joints" href="/articles/joints-1">joint</a>.</p><p>There is normally only a small amount of physiological intra-articular fluid. Abnormal fluid accumulation can result from inflammation, infection (i.e. pus) or trauma and may be an <a href="/articles/exudate">exudate</a>, <a href="/articles/transudate">transudate</a>, blood and/or fat. As part of an arthrogram deliberate injection into the joint space of a contrast medium results in an iatrogenic effusion.</p><p><a href="/articles/lipohaemarthrosis">Lipohaemarthrosis</a> is a particular type of effusion that occurs in the setting of intra-articular fracture where a fat-fluid level is seen due to marrow fat leaking into the joint via the fracture. Fat, being less dense than blood, will float to the surface and present as a 'fat-fluid' level on top of the blood on any radiographs with the horizontal beam parallel to the level. Lipohaemarthroses can occur in other joints (e.g. shoulder) but are most readily identified in the knee.</p><p>Recognition of a joint effusion on plain radiographs can be difficult, particularly for the non-radiologist. Appreciation of the typical appearances and signs of joint effusions can assist diagnosis.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Knee joint effusion</h5><p>A knee joint effusion appears as well-defined rounded homogeneous soft tissue density within the suprapatellar recess on a lateral radiograph. The effusion will <sup>2</sup>:</p><ul>- +<p>A <strong>joint effusion</strong> is defined as an increased amount of fluid within the <a href="/articles/synovium">synovial compartment</a> of a <a href="/articles/joints-1">joint</a>.</p><p>There is normally only a small amount of physiological intra-articular fluid. Abnormal fluid accumulation can result from inflammation, infection (i.e. pus) or trauma and may be an <a href="/articles/exudate">exudate</a>, <a href="/articles/transudate">transudate</a>, blood and/or fat. As part of an arthrogram deliberate injection into the joint space of a contrast medium results in an iatrogenic effusion.</p><p><a href="/articles/lipohaemarthrosis">Lipohaemarthrosis</a> is a particular type of effusion that occurs in the setting of intra-articular fracture where a fat-fluid level is seen due to marrow fat leaking into the joint via the fracture. Fat, being less dense than blood, will float to the surface and present as a 'fat-fluid' level on top of the blood on any radiographs with the horizontal beam parallel to the level. Lipohaemarthroses can occur in other joints (e.g. shoulder) but are most readily identified in the knee.</p><p>Recognition of a joint effusion on plain radiographs can be difficult, particularly for the non-radiologist. Appreciation of the typical appearances and signs of joint effusions can assist diagnosis.</p><h4>Radiographic features</h4><h5>Knee joint effusion</h5><p>A knee joint effusion appears as well-defined rounded homogeneous soft tissue density within the suprapatellar recess on a lateral radiograph. The effusion will <sup>2</sup>:</p><ul>
References changed:
- 1. Maskell T & Finlay D. The Prognostic Significance of Radiologically Detected Knee Joint Effusions in the Absence of Associated Fracture. Br J Radiol. 1990;63(756):940-1. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1259/0007-1285-63-756-940">doi:10.1259/0007-1285-63-756-940</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2268763">Pubmed</a>
- 2. Hall F. Radiographic Diagnosis and Accuracy in Knee Joint Effusions. Radiology. 1975;115(1):49-54. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/115.1.49">doi:10.1148/115.1.49</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1118617">Pubmed</a>
- 3. Dodge J. The Ankle Teardrop Sign. Radiology. 2004;231(3):789-90. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2313021096">doi:10.1148/radiol.2313021096</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15163818">Pubmed</a>
- 4. Bachman A. Roentgen Diagnosis of Knee-Joint Effusion. Radiology. 1946;46(5):462-9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1148/46.5.462">doi:10.1148/46.5.462</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20983076">Pubmed</a>
- 5. Sweeney J, Helms C, Minagi H, Louie K. The Widened Teardrop Distance: A Plain Film Indicator of Hip Joint Effusion in Adults. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1987;149(1):117-9. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2214/ajr.149.1.117">doi:10.2214/ajr.149.1.117</a> - <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3495970">Pubmed</a>
- 1. Maskell TW, Finlay DB. The prognostic significance of radiologically detected knee joint effusions in the absence of associated fracture. Br J Radiol. 1990;63 (756): 940-1. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1259/0007-1285-63-756-940">doi:10.1259/0007-1285-63-756-940</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2268763">Pubmed citation</a><div class="ref_v2"></div>
- 2. Hall FM. Radiographic diagnosis and accuracy in knee joint effusions. Radiology. 1975;115 (1): 49-54. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/115.1.49">doi:10.1148/115.1.49</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1118617">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
- 3. Dodge JP. The ankle teardrop sign. Radiology. 2004;231 (3): 789-90. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/radiol.2313021096">doi:10.1148/radiol.2313021096</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15163818">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
- 4. BACHMAN AL. Roentgen diagnosis of knee-joint effusion. Radiology. 1946;46 (5): 462-9. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1148/46.5.462">doi:10.1148/46.5.462</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20983076">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>
- 5. Sweeney JP, Helms CA, Minagi H et-al. The widened teardrop distance: a plain film indicator of hip joint effusion in adults. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1987;149 (1): 117-9. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2214/ajr.149.1.117">doi:10.2214/ajr.149.1.117</a> - <a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3495970">Pubmed citation</a><span class="auto"></span>