Abstract
Congenital absence of the patella is extremely rare, and there are very few reports on this condition. We describe our experience of congenital, bilateral absence of the patella in a 17-year-old girl. Her chief complaint was an inability to run, jump, or extend her back in the standing position. Plain X-rays showed complete absence of the patella, but bones involving the pubis were present and intact. Magnetic resonance (MR) images were acquired, and this report focuses on our MR-based analysis. MR T2-weighted and proton-enhanced imaging showed a dark, low-signal band, between the quadriceps tendon and the patellar tendon with cartilaginous tissue surrounded by tendon at the junction of both tendons, 2 mm thick and 18 mm long, in place of the patella. On T1-weighted axial images, a hypoplastic patellar groove was observed, and the patella was absent. A low-signal band involved with a relatively high-signal band was noted. We concluded this to be cartilaginous tissue that may indicate cartilaginous patellar dysplasia, allowing for non-rupture of the patellar tendon.
Published Version
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