Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?

Objectives: The scaphoid fat pad stripe (SFS) is a radiological sign first described in 1975 as a line of relative lucency lying parallel to the lateral border of the scaphoid, with slight convexity toward it, and it is optimally demonstrated on postero-anterior and oblique views with ulnar deviatio...

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Main Authors: Pavle Manic, Stéphanie Schizas, Pierre-Yves Zambelli, Eleftheria Samara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/86
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author Pavle Manic
Stéphanie Schizas
Pierre-Yves Zambelli
Eleftheria Samara
author_facet Pavle Manic
Stéphanie Schizas
Pierre-Yves Zambelli
Eleftheria Samara
author_sort Pavle Manic
collection DOAJ
description Objectives: The scaphoid fat pad stripe (SFS) is a radiological sign first described in 1975 as a line of relative lucency lying parallel to the lateral border of the scaphoid, with slight convexity toward it, and it is optimally demonstrated on postero-anterior and oblique views with ulnar deviation of the carpus. The obliteration or displacement of this line is commonly present in acute fractures of the scaphoid, radial styloid process, and proximal first metacarpus. The aim of this observational study is to investigate the supportive value of the fat stripe sign (SFS) in the diagnosis of scaphoid fractures in the pediatric population. Methods: This is a monocentric, retrospective study of all patients referred to the Pediatric Traumatology Unit of a tertiary hospital from the Emergency Department with clinical suspicion of scaphoid fracture without visible fracture in the initial X-ray. Radiological reports for CT and MRIs were recorded, and the initial X-rays were blindly reviewed by a pediatric orthopedic fellowship-accredited surgeon for the presence of an abnormal scaphoid fat pad stripe sign and the presence of a fracture line in the initial X-rays. Results: The results of the blind interpretation of the initial X-rays for the fat stripe sign showed 86% sensitivity and 58% specificity, with the negative predictive value reaching 92%. Conclusions: The scaphoid fat stripe sign can be used as an adjacent in the diagnosis of an occult scaphoid fracture in children or adolescents. Its high negative predictive value, if confirmed in larger studies, can be an element used to exclude scaphoid fracture and consequently avoid unnecessary immobilizations and health costs.
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spelling doaj-art-8da3793a43dd4dd7b125e491e44b50df2025-01-24T13:27:14ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-01-011218610.3390/children12010086Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?Pavle Manic0Stéphanie Schizas1Pierre-Yves Zambelli2Eleftheria Samara3University Hospital of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, SwitzerlandUniversity Hospital of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, SwitzerlandUniversity Hospital of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, SwitzerlandUniversity Hospital of Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne, SwitzerlandObjectives: The scaphoid fat pad stripe (SFS) is a radiological sign first described in 1975 as a line of relative lucency lying parallel to the lateral border of the scaphoid, with slight convexity toward it, and it is optimally demonstrated on postero-anterior and oblique views with ulnar deviation of the carpus. The obliteration or displacement of this line is commonly present in acute fractures of the scaphoid, radial styloid process, and proximal first metacarpus. The aim of this observational study is to investigate the supportive value of the fat stripe sign (SFS) in the diagnosis of scaphoid fractures in the pediatric population. Methods: This is a monocentric, retrospective study of all patients referred to the Pediatric Traumatology Unit of a tertiary hospital from the Emergency Department with clinical suspicion of scaphoid fracture without visible fracture in the initial X-ray. Radiological reports for CT and MRIs were recorded, and the initial X-rays were blindly reviewed by a pediatric orthopedic fellowship-accredited surgeon for the presence of an abnormal scaphoid fat pad stripe sign and the presence of a fracture line in the initial X-rays. Results: The results of the blind interpretation of the initial X-rays for the fat stripe sign showed 86% sensitivity and 58% specificity, with the negative predictive value reaching 92%. Conclusions: The scaphoid fat stripe sign can be used as an adjacent in the diagnosis of an occult scaphoid fracture in children or adolescents. Its high negative predictive value, if confirmed in larger studies, can be an element used to exclude scaphoid fracture and consequently avoid unnecessary immobilizations and health costs.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/86scaphoid fat pad signscaphoid fractureradiological diagnosis
spellingShingle Pavle Manic
Stéphanie Schizas
Pierre-Yves Zambelli
Eleftheria Samara
Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?
Children
scaphoid fat pad sign
scaphoid fracture
radiological diagnosis
title Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?
title_full Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?
title_fullStr Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?
title_full_unstemmed Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?
title_short Scaphoid Fat Stripe Sign: Is It a Reliable Radiological Sign of Scaphoid Fracture in Children?
title_sort scaphoid fat stripe sign is it a reliable radiological sign of scaphoid fracture in children
topic scaphoid fat pad sign
scaphoid fracture
radiological diagnosis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/86
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