LIPOHEMARTHROSIS IN KNEE TRAUMA - AN EXPERIENCE OF 907 CASES

The role of the horizontal beam lateral radiograph in the investigatio n of knee trauma was assessed by retrospective analysis of 907 cases p resenting to a tertiary trauma unit. For each case the presence of a v isible lipohaemarthrosis on the horizontal beam radiograph was correla ted with the presence of an intra-articular fracture. Visible lipohaem arthrosis is a very specific sign of an intra-articular fracture (88.6 per cent), occurring in 2 7. 1 per cent of cases. The authors propose that the horizontal beam lateral radiograph should be the standard la teral view in the investigation of knee trauma. The presence of a visi ble lipohaemarthrosis in the absence of a visible fracture, or isolate d fracture of patella or fibula on the plain radiographs, are indicati ons for further investigation.