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Dorsal defect of the patella

Case contributed by Abdulmajid Bawazeer
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Knee pain after fall

Patient Data

Age: 10 years
Gender: Female
x-ray

Well defined lucency with sclerotic margin seen in the superolateral aspect of the right patella with no bony destruction or soft tissue component.

Both patellae show a well-defined bony defect in the superolateral aspect of the cartilaginous part more obvious on the right with a sclerotic margin. No bony destruction or soft tissue component is seen.

Case Discussion

Dorsal defect of the patella is an uncommon entity observed in the knee, frequently seen as an incidental finding observed while investigating other potential sources of pain. Using plain radiographs, it is expressed in only approximately 0.3% to 1% of the general population 1,2It should not be mistaken for a pathological process such as a focus of infection or osteochondritis dissecans

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