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The sail sign is a triangular shape found in X-rays of the lung or elbow, indicating a potential problem. It may be caused by a broken elbow or partial lung collapse, and requires further evaluation by a radiologist. Treatment plans vary depending on the underlying issue.
The sail sign is a radiological finding in the lung or elbow, potentially indicative of a problem. The name of this clinical sign comes from its distinctive triangular shape, resembling a spinnaker sail, and some people may refer to it as the spinnaker or spinnaker sail sign. An experienced radiologist can identify this on an X-ray and provide more information to help a doctor decide whether a patient’s X-rays are normal and what steps to take to provide treatment.
In the elbow, the sail takes the shape of a characteristic triangle around the head of the elbow. It usually appears when a patient’s elbow is broken and as a result the fat and soft tissue around the elbow is displaced. Even if the joint doesn’t immediately feel broken or dislocated, the sail sign can be a warning that something is up and the patient may need further evaluation to find out what is causing the problem. Usually, a radiologist will order images from different angles to make sure that a strange finding isn’t just a shadow or a glitch in the x-ray.
When a patient has a lung x-ray, the sail sign consists of a triangular section at the base of the lung. May indicate partial lung collapse. In young children, however, it can be a normal anatomical structure and is sometimes caused by the thymus, a part of the patient’s anatomy. Likewise with many animals, such as dogs.
Learning to read X-rays and other medical imaging studies takes patience and training. Some findings may be obvious, such as a significant fracture, but others may be very subtle. Someone without skills may not immediately notice a problem that would be apparent to a trained technician or radiologist. Something like the sign of the sail can sometimes be very subtle and understated. When doctors request X-rays, they usually ask someone to examine them to make sure there aren’t any clinically significant findings if they have concerns about an apparently normal X-ray.
When the sail sign is visible, your doctor may request follow-up tests to find out more and will eventually develop a treatment plan to address the problem. In the case of something like an elbow fracture, this may include reducing the fracture and fusion to immobilize the arm while it heals, along with giving pain reliever for comfort and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce swelling around the fracture site.
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