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KNEE FAT PAD IMPINGEMENT MRI APPEARANCE
MRI OF FAT PAD IMPINGEMENT AROUND THE KNEE
Knee fat pad impingement syndromes are characterized by pain and inflammation of the fat pads surrounding the knee joint and can significantly impact knee function.
This blog post looks at the anatomy of the knee fat pads, the MRI appearance of impingement, and key areas to focus on MRI , to make accurate an diagnoses and guide appropriate treatment decisions.
There are four fat pads around the knee that can become impinged and can be symptomatic.
WHAT DOES NORMAL FAT PAD LOOK LIKE
WHICH FAT PADS
Quadriceps fat pad:
Located above the patella and posterior to the quadriceps tendon.Supratrochlear fat pad:
Situated anterior to the femoral trochlea.ÂHoffa’s fat pad:
Positioned behind the patella/ patella tendon and tibia.
MRI NORMAL KNEE FAT PADS
Normal fat pads are High Signal on PD or T1 and will be dark on PDFS T2FS or STIR as they will completely fat saturate.
Image Above: Location for quadriceps fat pad (Blue Arrow), Supratrochlear Fat Pad (Pink arrow) & Hoffa’s Fat Pad (yellow arrow).Â
MRI KNEE FAT PAD IMPINGEMENT: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
MRI FAT PAD IMPINGEMENT: WHAT TO LOOK FOR
On MRI Impingement of any of the fat pads has a similar appearance and the best sequence to diagnose it is on a STIR/T2FS or PDFS sequence.
Look for
-
Increased signal intensity on fluid-sensitive sequences (PDFS, STIR, T2-weighted) in the affected fat pad.
-
Low signal intensity on T1-weighted images.
-
Edema may extend to surrounding soft tissues.
- Expansion of the contours of the fat pad which become convex. This is usually seen in the Quadriceps and Supratrochlear fat pads and not in Hoffa’s fat pad.
- C+: There is no need to give contrast but if you do, impingement in the acute and subacute stages will enhance.
MRI QUADRICEPS FAT PAD IMPINGEMENT
Image Above: Impingement of quadriceps fat pad (yellow arrow). Due to swelling the posterior margin can become convex (blue arrow).Â
MRI SUPRA TROCHLEAR FAT PAD IMPINGEMENT
Image Above: Impingement of supratrochlear fat pad (yellow arrow). Same appearance as impingement elsewhere.
MRI HOFFA'S FAT PAD IMPINGEMENT
Image Above: Impingement of Hoffa’s fat pad (yellow arrow).Â
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