title: Fat pad signs in the diagnosis of subtle fractures.
abstract: Scrutinizing the soft tissue as well as the bone is essential when reading bone films. Fat pad signs can be invaluable in the diagnosis of subtle fractures and other injuries. At some sites, such as the elbow and the wrist, these signs can be almost pathognomonic of a fracture, even if radiographic findings are otherwise negative.
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Holder
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000842:Ankle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010388:Pelvis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D014953:Wrist / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging