Absent bowtie sign explained

The absent bowtie sign is a radiologic sign indicative of a meniscal tear in the knee joint. On sagittal magnetic resonance (MR) images, the body of the meniscus normally looks like a bow tie, with two distinct segments. The absent bowtie sign is present when there is a lack of two segments seen on consecutive sagittal MR images.[1] This sign can be used to diagnose "bucket-handle" tears of the mensici, which are longitudinal tears with displaced fragment(s). The "handle" is created when the inner meniscal fragment is displaced into the intercondylar notch.[2]

References

  1. Lieberman . Kristin A. . 2000 . The Absent Bow Tie Sign . Radiology . en . 215 . 1 . 263–265 . 10.1148/radiology.215.1.r00ap25263 . 0033-8419.
  2. Helms . C A . Laorr . A . Cannon . W D . 1998 . The absent bow tie sign in bucket-handle tears of the menisci in the knee. . American Journal of Roentgenology . en . 170 . 1 . 57–61 . 10.2214/ajr.170.1.9423600 . 0361-803X.