Presentation
History of trauma of the left knee one week ago. Tenderness at the medial aspect of the patella.
Patient Data
There is a vertical fracture of the medial aspect of the patella with marrow edema as well as edematous infiltration of the anterior prepatellar soft tissue. Mild joint effusion is noted
Quadriceps and patellar tendons, as well as the medial and lateral patellar retinacula, are of normal thickness and signal.
Menisci, collateral and cruciate ligaments are intact.
Case Discussion
This case demonstrates the MRI features of a vertical patellar fracture
On imaging the main differential is a multipartite patella. With the latter diagnosis, the unfused fragments are almost always in the superolateral quadrant of the patella with no bone marrow or soft tissue edema.
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