title: Reliability of fat-pad sign in radial head/neck fractures of the elbow.
abstract: In a prospective study at a single centre between August 1995 and March 1996, 193 patients with elbow injuries were studied. Standard radiographs of the elbows were taken. A total of 181 X-rays were reported by one person concerning the presence or absence of fractures and fat-pad signs. The radiographs were analysed and positive predictive values were calculated for the presence of the fat-pad sign with radial head/neck fractures. The sensitivity for radial head/neck fracture is 85.4 per cent, while the specificity is only 50 per cent. The fat-pad sign must be used cautiously as an indicator of radial head/neck fractures; its absence is a more reliable indicator of the absence of a radial head/ neck fracture.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dryburn Hospital, Durham, UK.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Irshad
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gregory
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D011885:Radius Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000092464:Elbow Injuries