Normal pronator quadratus fat pad

Case contributed by Henry Knipe
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Female

Normal quadratus fat pad is seen as a thin triangular lucency on lateral wrist x-rays with the base at the palmar radial tip and runing proximally roughly parallel to the radial shaft. No fracture.

Annotated image

Red line highlights the position of a normal quadratus fat pad. 

Case Discussion

A displaced or bowed pronator quadratus fat pad (pronator quadratus sign) can be helpful in the diagnosis of distal radius fracture. Its absence (i.e. a normal appearing quadratus fat pad) does not exclude a fracture. 

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