Learning objectives
The infrapatellar fat pad of the Hoffa is an intracapsular structure that is rountinely visualized on the magnetic resonance images of the Knee.
The purpose of this work is to illustrate the most common imagiologic spectrum of Hoffa’s fat pad pathology in Magnetic Resonance imaging,
with special focus on the intrinsic abnormalities.
Background
HOFFA´S FAT PAD ANATOMY (Fig.1)
The infrapatellar fat pad Hoffa is a structure located in the space between the back side of the pattelar ligament and the real capsule.
It is routinely visualized on the magnetic resonance images of the knee.
There are other fat pads located between the sinovial and the joint capsule of the knee joint that are intracapsular but extrasynovial structures.
Hoffa's fat lies behind the patella ligament and extends slightly superior and posteriorly.
It overlaps the inferior articular surface of the...
Imaging findings OR Procedure Details
Hoffa's disease (Fig.3 and 4)
Is a syndrome of infrapatellar fat pad impingement.
Sometimes after an acute impact or repetitive traumas,
the fat pad can become impinged (pinched) between the distal thigh bone,
femoral condyle,
and the patella.
As the fat pad is one of the most sensitive structures in the knee,
this condition is known to be extremely painful
The resulting pain,
swelling and fat hypertophy limits range of motion.
Over time,
fibrotic tissue is formed.
Hoffa's impingment,
specially in the supero-lateral aspect,
is...
Conclusion
It is important to be familiar with the various pathologic entities that may occur in the Hoffa’s fat pad.
MR is a very useful tool for the study of Hoffa's fat pad,
whose local and systematic involvement is an often ignored cause of anterior knee pain.
References
Is Superolateral Hoffa Fat Pad Edema a Consequence of Impingementbetween Lateral Femoral Condyle and Patellar Ligament? Radiology May 2012263:2 469-474;
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Quadriceps Fat Pad Signal Intensity and Enlargement on MRI: Prevalence and Associated Findings.
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Jacobson J.; AJR 2004;182:1383–1387
Imaging of Intraarticular Masses.
Sheldon P.,
Forrester D.; RadioGraphics 2005; 25:105–119
MRimaging of lipoma arborescens of the knee joint;Ryu,KN,Jaovisidha,
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Anatomy of theinfrapatellar fat...