occult fracture

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oc·cult frac·ture

a condition with clinical signs of fracture but no radiographic evidence; after 2-4 weeks, radiographic imaging shows new bone formation; magnetic resonance imaging frequently confirms the fracture before changes are evident on radiography; commonly seen in the navicular bone of the wrist.

Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012

oc·cult frac·ture

(ŏ-kŭlt' frak'shŭr)

A condition in which there are clinical signs of fracture but no radiologic evidence; after 3-4 weeks, radiologic imaging shows new bone formation.

Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012

occult fracture

A fracture that is suspected based on clinical grounds (e.g., guarding, pain, and swelling) but not seen on x-rays. The fracture may be seen with bone scans or magnetic resonance imaging.

See also: fracture

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References in periodicals archive ?

Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is a highly valuable imaging tool for the diagnosis of occult fractures. CT has several advantages including short acquisition time (compared to MRI), the ability to acquire volumetric and isotropic image data sets, the opportunity to reconstruct multiplanar reformations in any arbitrary plane, and excellent spatial resolution [9].

Radiographically occult and subtle fractures: a pictorial review

* Covert or occult fractures that are not easily detected by preliminary x-rays.

Radiologic technology's role in sports medicine

MRI showed a low intensity lesion in the T1-weighted image (b) with a high intensity change in the T2-STIR image (c) indicating an occult fracture at the L4 vertebral body (arrowheads).

A Clinical Prospective Observational Cohort Study on the Prevalence and Primary Diagnostic Accuracy of Occult Vertebral Fractures in Aged Women with Acute Lower Back Pain Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Occult fractures of the greater tuberosity of the humerus: radiographic and MR imaging findings.

Fracturas en extremidades, cuando se convierten en un reto diagnostico

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is used to detect radiographically occult fractures common in elderly osteoporosis patients.

Osteoporosis in men

As always, consider the unusual--such as occult fractures or osteochondritis--if ankle injuries aren't improving as expected.

Insufficient rehab runs risk of recurrent ankle injuries. (Follow-up Key to Preventing more Sprains)

MRI is better able to visualize radiographically occult fractures as well as surrounding soft tissue abnormalities and edema in the pediatric patient following trauma (Figure 9).

Pediatric skeletal trauma--plain film to MRI

Dorsay and associates (18) showed that MR imaging might be cost effective in the diagnosis of occult fractures as well.

Management of acute scaphoid fractures

Occult fractures may be suspected due to clinical indications but cannot initially be demonstrated radiographically.

Imaging sports-related injuries

Nevertheless, we feel that, despite its more limited interobserver reliability, the fracture portion of the score should be preserved in our proforma as radiographically occult fractures are a hallmark of the pathogenesis of the active Charcot foot [10, 12].

Bone Marrow Oedema Score and Fracture Score for the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Assessment of the Active Charcot Foot in Diabetes