Acute presentation of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease simulating patella sleeve fracture: A case report.

OBJECTIVES

Diagnosis of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease may not be an easy task. Several sport-related conditions affect the distal pole of the patella in the adolescent, and treatment varies considerably. The article describes a patient that had radiographic features of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease associated with an atypical acute presentation.

METHODS

Case report and literature review.

RESULTS

A 10-year-old boy presented with a sudden pain after a noncontact soccer injury. He had tenderness and swelling over the patella. Radiographs showed minimally displaced distal patellar ossicle. Magnetic resonance imaging excluded sleeve cartilaginous injury and documented Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease. The knee was immobilized briefly. There was complete healing of the injury in 4-week follow-up radiographs.

CONCLUSION

Emergency physicians, radiologists, and orthopedic surgeons should be aware of the acute presentation of Sinding-Larsen-Johansson disease after knee injuries.