Wrist Extensor Tendon "Floating Fat" Sign: A Strong Indicator to Recognize Occult Fractures in the Distal Radius: A Case Report. uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • CASE: A 24-year-old woman presented with traumatic left wrist pain. X-rays were negative for fracture. Computed tomography (CT) showed hemorrhagic fatty effusions within the second and third wrist extensor tendon compartments (the "floating fat" sign) and a tiny cortical defect in the Lister's tubercle. Three weeks later, magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a nondisplaced distal radius fracture with extensive marrow edema. CONCLUSION: The floating fat sign within the extensor tendon compartments is a critical sign of a distal radius fracture, which can be occult on x-ray and CT.

publication date

  • January 1, 2020

Research

keywords

  • Fractures, Closed
  • Radius Fractures
  • Wrist Injuries

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85088201004

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.2106/JBJS.CC.19.00247

PubMed ID

  • 32649105

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 10

issue

  • 2