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. The likely mechanism is a hyperextension or impaction injury with a collision of the femoral condyle and the posterior tibial plateau.
Lateral femoral notch sign is usually usually first appreciated on the lateral radiograph and and is suggestive suggestive of an an osteochondral fracture1-2. The depth of the lateral femoral notch sign has been shown to correlate withACL tear 2.
Radiographic appearance
Plain filmRadiograph
On a lateral projection, a line is drawn from the normal articular surface of the lateral femoral condyle. The depth of the abnormal abnormal depression/notch can then be measuremeasured. A study compared the depth of the lateral femoral notch in patientpatients with proven ACL tear and normal individualhealthy individuals. A notch depth notch depth of 1.5 mm is shown as ana useful ancillaryadditional sign of torn ACL2.
-<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 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>Plain film</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 measure. A study compared the depth of the lateral femoral notch in patient with proven ACL tear and normal individual. A notch depth of 1.5 mm is shown as an useful ancillary 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 <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>
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