Traumatic lipohemobursa of the infrapatellar bursa

Extra-capsular floating fat at the extremity: a review

Extra-capsular floating fat may present in a variety of non-articular locations at the extremity. Manifestation of floating fat or fat-fluid level(s) outside of a joint is a marker of trauma or infection. Recognizing radiologic sign(s) of extra-capsular floating fat can aid radiologists to provide an informed differential diagnosis and facilitate clinical care. This review discusses the etiology, mechanisms, and imaging appearance of extracapsular floating fat in specific anatomic and non-anatomic locations at the extremity.

Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Knee Lipohemarthrosis

When treating patients presenting with knee trauma or intra-articular fracture, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for lipohemarthrosis. Diagnosis of lipohemarthrosis can be accomplished via visualization of a fat-fluid level. Increased fluid and pressure build-up within the joint space may lead to compartment syndrome, which requires emergency compartment fasciotomy. In this paper, we discuss the importance of identifying lipohemarthrosis in patients presenting with intra-articular fracture, as well as the necessity of frequent patient re-evaluations in order to monitor the onset of compartment syndrome.