Stellate crease

Last revised by Ciléin Kearns on 28 Feb 2023

A stellate crease, also known as a stellate lesion, is an indentation in the acetabular roof composed of radiating lines caused by a focal area of hyaline cartilage deficiency, which is in continuity with the acetabular notch 1,2.

They are found above the anterosuperior aspect of the acetabulum, and medial to the supra-acetabular fossa (which is reliably found at the 12 o'clock position in both coronal and sagittal planes on MRI) 1. A stellate crease can be directly visualized at arthroscopy, and should not be mistaken for an osteochondral defect, focus of chondromalacia, or in children, the physeal scar (triradiate cartilage remnant) in the medial acetabulum 1-3.

Stellate crease are more common found in young adults than mature adults 1.

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