HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Roth, C. Articles by Housner, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Roth, C. Articles by Housner, J. Social Bookmarking                      What's this?

Quadriceps Fat Pad Signal Intensity and Enlargement on MRI: Prevalence and Associated Findings

¹ Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E Medical Center Dr., TC-2910G, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0326.
² Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Family Medicine, University of Michigan, MedSport Domino's Farms, 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48106.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the MRI appearance of the quadriceps fat pad and to correlate the findings with other knee abnormalities, anatomic measurements of the extensor mechanism, and findings from history and at physical examination.

MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety-two consecutive knee MRI examinations from 84 patients were retrospectively reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists for quadriceps fat pad enlargement and signal intensity. Other data from the retrospective review included infrapatellar and prefemoral fat pad signal intensity, quadriceps and patellar tendon abnormalities, joint effusion, medial plica, chondromalacia, articular muscle thickness, and prepatellar edema. The patellar length, patellar articular length, patellar tendon length, and femoral sulcus angle were measured. MRI reports were reviewed for meniscal and ligament abnormalities. Clinical data were reviewed for findings of anterior knee pain in the history and at physical examination. The chi-square and Student's t tests were used to determine significant associations.

RESULTS. Twelve percent (11/92) of MRI examinations showed quadriceps fat pad mass effect on the suprapatellar recess, which was associated with intermediate or fluid signal intensity of the quadriceps fat pad (² = 7.19, p = 0.0274) but with no other findings on knee MRI. Anterior knee pain at physical examination was associated with quadriceps fat pad mass effect (² = 8.76, p = 0.0031), medial collateral ligament abnormality (² = 4.83, p = 0.0031), and history of anterior knee pain ( ² = 22.76, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION. Enlargement of the quadriceps fat pad on MRI has a prevalence of 12% and is significantly associated with intermediate or fluid signal intensity of the quadriceps fat pad and anterior knee pain.

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. J. Warden, Z. S. Kiss, F. A. Malara, A. B. T. Ooi, J. L. Cook, and K. M. Crossley Comparative Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasonography in Confirming Clinically Diagnosed Patellar Tendinopathy Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2007; 35(3): 427 - 436. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Sirvanci and A. K. Ganiyusufoglu Quadriceps Fat Pad Signal Intensity and Enlargement on MRI Am. J. Roentgenol., May 1, 2005; 184(5): 1708 - 1708. [Full Text]

				S. Puig, C. Roth, J. A. Jacobson, and D. A. Jamadar Articular Genus Muscle of the Knee Am. J. Roentgenol., October 1, 2004; 183(4): 1174 - 1174. [Full Text] [PDF]