MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING VISUALIZATION OF HEMORRHAGE INTO A SUPRAPATELLAR POUCH IN A CHILD WITH HEMOPHILIA

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used for evaluation of r efractory joint swelling in a 7-year-old boy with hemophilia. Patient and Methods: This patient with no evidence of an inhibitor had refract ory left knee swelling despite receiving appropriate factor VIII conce ntrate infusions. Results: A plain radiograph showed soft tissue swell ing and a calcification in the left suprapatellar region. On MRI a dis crete suprapatellar pouch could be detected and was subsequently surgi cally resected. Conclusion: We believe that MRI should be considered w hen evaluating children with hemophilia who have refractory joint swel ling and no evidence of an inhibitor.