title: The sagging rope sign: a critical appraisal.
abstract: Certain features of the sagging rope sign recently analysed by Apley and Weintroub (1981) are examined in detail. Evidence is presented to show that the line is a radiological shadow cast by the lateral edge of a severely deformed femoral head rather than a condensation of the spongiosa within the neck. An explanation is offered to explain the common association of the presence of this radiological sign with premature epiphysial fusion.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004838:Epiphyses / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005270:Femur Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005272:Femur Neck / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006615:Hip / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006618:Hip Dislocation, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010007:Osteochondritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography