Lateral femoral notch sign (knee)
Updates to Article Attributes
The (deep) lateral femoral notch sign describes a depression on the lateral femoral condyle at the terminal sulcus, a junction between the weight bearing tibial articular surface and the patellar articular surface of the femoral condyle1
Pathology
The likely mechanism is a hyperextension or impaction injury with a collision of the femoral condyle and the posterior tibial plateau.
Radiographic appearance
Lateral femoral notch sign is usually first appreciated on the lateral radiograph and is suggestive of an osteochondral fracture 1-2. The depth of the lateral femoral notch sign has been shown to correlate with ACL tearanterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear 2.
Radiographic appearance
RadiographPlain radiograph
On a lateral projection, a line is drawn from the normal articular surface of the lateral femoral condyle. The depth of the abnormal depression/notch can then be measured. A study compared the depth of the lateral femoral notch in patients with proven ACL tear and healthy individuals. A notch depth of 1.5 mm is shown as a useful additional sign of a torn ACL 2.
-<p>The <strong>(deep) lateral femoral notch sign </strong>describes a depression on the lateral femoral condyle at the terminal sulcus, a junction between the weight bearing tibial articular surface and the patellar articular surface of the femoral condyle <sup>1</sup>. The likely mechanism is a hyperextension or impaction injury with a collision of the femoral condyle and the posterior tibial plateau. </p><p>Lateral femoral notch sign is usually first appreciated on the lateral radiograph and is suggestive of an osteochondral fracture <sup>1-2</sup>. The depth of the lateral femoral notch sign has been shown to correlate with <a href="/articles/anterior-cruciate-ligament-tear">ACL tear</a> <sup>2</sup>. </p><h4>Radiographic appearance</h4><h5>Radiograph</h5><p>On a lateral projection, a line is drawn from the normal articular surface of the lateral femoral condyle. The depth of the abnormal depression/notch can then be measured. A study compared the depth of the lateral femoral notch in patients with proven ACL tear and healthy individuals. A notch depth of 1.5 mm is shown as a useful additional sign of torn ACL <sup>2</sup>.</p>- +<p>The <strong>(deep) lateral femoral notch sign </strong>describes a depression on the lateral femoral condyle at the terminal sulcus, a junction between the weight bearing tibial articular surface and the patellar articular surface of the femoral condyle.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The likely mechanism is a hyperextension or impaction injury with a collision of the femoral condyle and the posterior tibial plateau. </p><h4>Radiographic appearance</h4><p>Lateral femoral notch sign is usually first appreciated on the lateral radiograph and is suggestive of an osteochondral fracture <sup>1-2</sup>. The depth of the lateral femoral notch sign has been shown to correlate with <a href="/articles/anterior-cruciate-ligament-tear">anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear</a> <sup>2</sup>. </p><h5>Plain radiograph</h5><p>On a lateral projection, a line is drawn from the normal articular surface of the lateral femoral condyle. The depth of the abnormal depression/notch can then be measured. A study compared the depth of the lateral femoral notch in patients with proven ACL tear and healthy individuals. A notch depth of 1.5 mm is shown as a useful additional sign of a torn ACL <sup>2</sup>.</p>
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