Fat-fluid Level Research Articles

Ovarian cystic teratomas: MR imaging.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of ovarian cystic teratomas were evaluated in 18 patients with 23 surgically proved tumors. The fat within the tumor demonstrated characteristic intensity similar to that of subcutaneous fat and a pathognomic pattern of chemical shift artifact that helped differentiate ovarian cystic teratomas from endometrial cysts. In addition to fat, MR images of ovarian cystic teratomas had several other characteristics that allowed confident diagnosis, including gravity-dependent layering or floating debris, palm tree-like protrusions or rounded nodules (dermoid plugs), and, occasionally fat-fluid levels and globular calcification. MR images were diagnostic in 20 tumors and were able to depict a tumor measuring 2 cm in diameter. MR imaging appears to be valuable in problematic cases in which other modalities are not diagnostic.

Computed tomography of septic joints

Twenty-six patients with suspected or known septic joints who had been studied by computed tomography were retrospectively reviewed. Eighteen patients (20 joints) proved to have septic arthritis. Computed tomography was advantageous in patients with acute septic arthritis of deep-seated axial joints, such as the hip and sacroiliac, where it demonstrated periarticular soft tissue swelling as early as 36 hours after the onset of symptoms. In three patients, this finding on computed tomography was helpful in accurately localizing the disease process and facilitating a diagnostic closed needle aspiration biopsy procedure. Four patients had a primary osseous focus of infection in an adjacent epiphyseal region that was documented by computed tomography. Computed tomography was superior to conventional radiology in revealing early articular bone erosion in joints with curved and overlapping articular surfaces in five patients, and resulted in alteration of their treatment. Fat-fluid levels within the suprapatellar bursae were noted in one patient (two joints). Computed tomography is a valuable modality for evaluation of patients with suspected septic arthritis of axial joints, particularly in the acute stage. Furthermore, it is helpful for evaluation of possible periarticular abscess formation and can serve as a guide for a percutaneous drainage procedure. Computed tomography can also be used when articular bone erosion or medullary extension of osteomyelitis is suspected but not fully documented by conventional radiography.

Fat-fluid level in intracranial epidermoid cyst

Fat-fluid level in intracranial epidermoid cystSH Cornell, CJ Graf and KD DolanAudio Available | Share

Intraventricular fat-fluid level secondary to rupture of an intracranial dermoid cyst

Intracranial dermoid cysts are rare congenital tumors. Because of a slow growth pattern, these tumors may attain considerable size before discovery. Patients harboring these lesions generally have a long history of symptoms; average time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis is 8.5 years [1, 2]. The mode of presentation depends upon the size and location of the tumor. The clinical picture is nonspecific, and symptoms may include headache, seizures, dementia, and, occasionally, meningitis. Papilledema is often absent, and spinal tap is normal in more than half of the cases [3, 4]. Plain skull x-rays are often abnormal and may show a variety of changes. This case illustrates a previously unreported finding of an intraventricular fat-fluid level secondary to spontaneous rupture of a dermoid cyst.

Lipohemarthrosis: A help in knee fracture diagnosis

A perfectly horizontal cross-table lateral X-ray view can detect knee joint fractures which are otherwise unapparent. This view will reveal lipohemarthrosis, the presence of a fat fluid level in the suprapatellar bursa. Don't confuse this with the commonly seen suprapatellar fat pad which does not form a true level.