Unusual Symptomatic Multipartite Patella Associated with Quadriceps Fat Pad Edema

Partite patella is a known cause of anterior knee pain, especially in adolescents and young males, although most patients are asymptomatic. Symptomatic partite patella is usually revealed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as bone marrow edema within the opposing bone fragments. We present a case of unusual bilateral symptomatic multipartite patella in an adult who presented with quadriceps fat pad edema and mass effect as well as slightly edematous signal changes within the bone fragments on MRI. This case indicates that symptomatic partite patella can also present with edema-like imaging findings in the adjacent soft tissue due to chronic mechanical irritation.