deep lateral femoral notch (sulcus) sign
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 condyle. It is occasionally referred to as a deep sulcus sign, not to be confused with the deep sulcus sign in pneumothorax on supine chest radiograph.
Pathology
The likely mechanism is a hyperextension or impaction injury with a collision of the femoral condyle and the posterior tibial plateau during the rotational movement responsible for injuring the ACL, most commonly the pivot-shift.
Radiographic appearance
Lateral femoral notch sign is usually first appreciated on the lateral radiograph and is suggestive of an osteochondral fracture . The depth of the lateral femoral notch sign has been shown to correlate with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear .
A normal sulcus is located within 10 mm of Blumensaat's line on lateral projection .
Plain 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 .
Internal derangement should also be suspected if the notch is irregular.
Siehe auch:
- Blumensaat-Linie
- deep sulcus sign Begriffsklärung
- Sulcus condylopatellaris
- Ruptur des vorderen Kreuzbandes
und weiter:
Assoziationen und Differentialdiagnosen zu deep lateral femoral notch (sulcus) sign:
