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MRI of traumatic patellar dislocation in children

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Abstract

Background

Traumatic patellar dislocations (TPD) are common injuries in children, and MRI is useful in evaluation of pediatric musculoskeletal injuries. However, no pediatric studies on the MR features of TPD have been reported.

Objective

To review the injuries after TPD in children.

Materials and methods

Patients with clinical or radiological recognition of TPD and those with suggestive MR findings were selected. Bone, cartilage and soft-tissue injuries and patellofemoral relationships were assessed.

Results

A total of 26 patients (age range 10–18 years) were identified. The following injuries were seen: bone bruising of the inferomedial patella (81% of patients) and the lateral femoral condyle (81% of patients), cartilage injuries of the inferomedial patella (38% of patients) and the lateral femoral condyle (38% of patients), osteochondral fragments (42% of patients) and injuries of the medial patellar restraints (81% of patients).

Conclusion

Pediatric manifestations of TPD seen on MRI are similar to those in adults. TPD is often occult in children. Early recognition of bone bruising of the patella and lateral femoral condyle, associated osteochondral injuries, and medial patellar stabilizer injury is important for timely diagnosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1X8, Canada

    Ali Zaidi

  2. Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

    Paul Babyn & Andrea Doria

  3. Paediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Mater Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, Australia

    Ivan Astori

  4. Diagnostic Imaging, Mount Sinai Hospital and the University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Lawrence White

  5. Orthopaedic Surgery, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada

    William Cole

Authors
  1. Ali Zaidi
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  2. Paul Babyn
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  3. Ivan Astori
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  4. Lawrence White
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  5. Andrea Doria
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  6. William Cole
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Correspondence to Ali Zaidi.

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Zaidi, A., Babyn, P., Astori, I. et al. MRI of traumatic patellar dislocation in children. Pediatr Radiol 36, 1163–1170 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-006-0293-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00247-006-0293-0

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