Answers
What does the radiograph show ?
There is a fracture of the medial tibial condyle and a
lipohaemarthrosis
Why is it important to obtain a 'lateral view with a horizontal beam' ?
This view is necessary to see the lipohaemarthrosis. A
lipohaemarthrosis is a joint effusion containing a fat –
fluid level in the suprapatellar bursa. The fat lies in
a layer on top of the fluid of the effusion. The fat is
less radio opaque and therefore appears darker. The presence
of a lipohaemarthrosis indicates there is an intra-articular
fracture even if the fracture cannot be seen.
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