fat stranding

Etiology

• can be helpful localizing both acute & chronic pathology
  • non-specific sign
    • can be seen in infectious, inflammatory, malignant, or traumatic conditions

Epidemiology

• common sign seen on CT wherever fat can be found.
• commonly seen in abdomen/pelvis
• can also be seen in retroperitoneum, thorax, neck & subcutaneous tissues

Radiology

• increased attenuation which can be ill-defined, reticular, linear,
  • in some malignancies may be reticulonodular

More general terms

• sign/symptom