Abstract
Plain radiographs may not show a sleeve fracture if the distal bony fragment is small. When there is a bone fragment visible, the cartilaginous fragment greatly exceeds it in size. Ultrasound is a rapid, accessible, safe and cost-effective means of imaging soft tissues, cartilage and bony interfaces and of measuring the separation of fragments. The axial resolution of the 10-5 MHz transducer (quoted at ˇ20 dB level relative to peak amplitude) is 0.9 mm at a depth of 20 mm. Magnetic resonance imaging has been used to confirm the diagnosis and define the cartilaginous injury, including that to the articular surface. Sagittal fast spin echo T2 weighted sequences may show patellar marrow oedema with a hyperintense fracture line within adjacent hypointense cartilage [5]. CONCLUSION Sleeve fractures of the patella are rare but are underestimated by plain radiology. The diagnosis of a primarily cartilage based injury with assessment of fracture separation and displacement can be made with ultrasound. These findings are helpful in determining management of this fracture.
Published Version
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