Fat Pads of the Elbow
August 24th, 2017
Overview
Look For
- Presence and elevation of the anterior and posterior fat pads on the lateral elbow x-ray.
Interpretation
- Visible anterior fat pad - radiolucency anterior to the distal humerus, normally visible
- Visible posterior fat pad - radiolucency posterior to the olecranon, normally hidden behind olecranon and thus presence indicates effusionOccult fracture
- Sail sign - raised anterior fat pad due to effusionOccult fracture, usually of radial head
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