(A) Normal relationships of the two fat pads.
(B) Displacement of both fat pads (arrows) with an intraarticular effusion.
(C) In some cases, the effusion may displace only the anterior fat pad (arrows).
(D) In extension, the posterior fat pad is normally displaced by the olecranon.
(E) An extraarticular fracture may lift the distal periosteum and displace the proximal portion of the posterior fat pad.[1]
(F) A radiograph showing displacement of both fat pads (arrows) from an intraarticular effusion.
Reference:
- Redrawn from: Murphy WA, Siegel MJ. Elbow fat pads with new signs and extended differential diagnosis. Radiology 1977; 124:656.
Reproduced with permission from: Beaty JH, Kasser JR. Evaluation of Pediatric Distal Humeral Fractures. In: Rockwood and Wilkins' Fractures in Children, 8th ed, Flynn JM, Skaggs DL, Waters PM (Eds), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 2014. Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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