Abstract
The dorsal defect of the patella is described and 16 cases are presented. The typical dorsal patellar defect is a round, radiolucent lesion surrounded by a zone of sclerosis located on the superolateral aspect of the dorsal surface of the patella. The location, radiographic appearance and clinical course of the defect are unique, distinguishing it from other lesions of the patella. The authors suggest that the dorsal defect is an anomaly of ossification and of little clinical significance.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Archer, V. W., Peterson, C. H.: Osteochondritis dissecans. Sth. Med. J. (Bagham, Ala.)23, 611 (1930)
Caffey, J.: Pediatric X-ray diagnosis, 6th edition, p. 943. Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers 1972
Caffey, J.: On fibrous cortical defects in cortical walls of growing tubular bones; their radiologic appearance, structure, prevalence, natural course and diagnostic significance. In: Advances in Pediatrics, Vol. II, p. 15. Chicago: Year Book Medical Publishers 1955.
Caffey, J., Madell, S. H., Royer, C., Morales, P.: Ossification of the distal femoral epiphysis. J. Bone Jt Surg.40A, 647 (1958)
DePalma, A. F.: Diseases of the knee, management in medicine and surgery, p. 480. Philadelphia, London, Montreal: J. B. Lippincott 1954.
Green, W. T., Banks, H. H.: Osteochondritis dissecans in children. J. Bone Jt Surg.35A, 26 (1953)
Hay, B. M.: Two cases of osteochondritis dissecans affecting several joints. J. Bone Jt Surg.32B, 316 (1950)
Heywood, A. W.: Recurrent dislocation of the patella; a study of its pathology and treatment in 106 knees. J. Bone Jt Surg.43B, 508 (1961).
Hutchinson, R. G.: Osteochondritis dissecans: records of some unusual cases. Brit. J. Radiol.16, 147 (1943).
Keats, T. E.: An atlas of normal roentgen variants, p. 200. Chicago: Yearbook Medical Publishers 1975
Kleinberg, S.: Bilateral osteochondritis dissecans of the patella. J. Bone Jt Surg.31A, 185 (1949)
Pantazopoulos, T., Exarchou, E.: Osteochondritis dissecans of patella report of four cases. J. Bone Jt Surg.53A, 1205 (1971)
Rideout, D. F., Davis, S., Navani, S. V.: Osteochondritis dissecans patellae. Brit. J. Radiol.39, 673 (1966)
Roberts, N., Hughes, R.: Osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow; a clinical study. J. Bone Jt Surg.32B, 348 (1950)
Rombold, C.: Osteochondritis dissecans of the patella; a case report. J. Bone Jt Surg.18, 230 (1936)
Shigeo, N.: The so-called osteochondritis dissecans of Konig, Clin. orthop.18, 100 (1960)
Smillie, I. S.: Osteochondritis dissccans: Loose bodies in joints: Etiology, pathology, treatment, p. 153, table 3, Edinburgh: E. and S. Livingstone, 1960.
Smillie, I. S.: Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee. Amer. J. Orthop.6, 236 (1964).
Sontag, L. W., Pyle, S. I.: Variations in the calcification pattern in epiphyses. Amer. J. Radiol.45, 50 (1941)
Strange, T. B.: Osteochondritis dissecans; case report. Amer. J. Surg.63, 144 (1944)
VanDemark, R. E.: Osteochondritis dissecans with spontaneous healing. J. Bone Jt Surg.34A, 143 (1952)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Haswell, D.M., Berne, A.S. & Graham, C.B. The dorsal defect of the patella. Pediatr Radiol 4, 238–242 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02461532
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02461532