Musculoskeletal Radiology Signs

Musculoskeletal Radiology Signs:

Many of the signs are not specific. Please click on the signs for other differentials.

Interactive Atlas of Signs in Musculoskeletal Radiology:

Absent Bow Tie Sign – Buckle Handle tear of Meniscus

Absent Middle Facet – Subtalar joint coalition

Ankle Teardrop Sign – ankle effusion

Anteater Nose Sign – Calcaneonavicular tarsal coalition

Anterior Tibial Translocation Sign – Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Arcuate Sign – avulsion fracture of head of fibula

Blade of Grass Sign – active Pagets

C Sign – subtalar coalition

Celery Stalk Sign – Mucoid degeneration of anterior cruciate ligament

Dense Metaphyseal Band Sign – lead poisoining 

Dot-in-circle sign – Mycetoma

Double Posterior Cruciate Ligament Sign, Double Delta Sign – Bucket handle tear of medial meniscus

Double-Line Sign – Avascular necrosis

Dripping Candle Wax Sign – Melorheostosis

Fallen fragment sign – Unicameral bone cyst

Fat C2 Sign – Oblique C2 fracture

Fat Pad Sign – elbow injury

The Four-Tendon Sign – posterior tibialis longitudinal tendon tear

Hawkins Sign – no Avascular necrosis

Hair-on-End Sign – Anemia

Intravertebral Vacuum Cleft Sign – osteonecrosis of vertebral body

Ivory Vertebra Sign – metastases

J Sign – humeral avulsion of the glenohumeral ligament

Lateral Femoral Notch Sign – Osteochondral fracture

MR Corner Sign – Ankylosing Spondylitis

Musculoskeletal Crescent Sign – Avascular necrosis

Notch of Harty – Pseudodefect of the Tibial Plafond

Polka-Dot Sign – Vertebral body hemangioma

Pronator Quadratus Sign – fracture of distal radius or ulna

Rugger Jersey Spine Sign – chronic renal failure

Signs of repeat postoperative meniscal tear

Spur Sign – acetabular fracture

Target Sign Extremity – benign peripheral nerve sheath tumor

Trough Line Sign – Posterior dislocation of shoulder

Musculoskeletal Imaging Signs