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*Pathology:  Bucket handle tear represents a long-axis longitudinal tear of the meniscus (bucket), and displacement of the attached inner fragment (handle). 
• Commonly, these tears involve the medial meniscus, begin with a vertical or oblique posterior horn tear, and propagate anteriorly and longitudinally.  10% of meniscal tears are of a bucket handle configuration.
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*Imaging findings:  Frequently, disruption of the normal Bow-tie sign configuration of the peripheral meniscus is noted (sagittal view).
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*Note: Bucket handle tears are commonly overlooked, because of the parallel orientation of the tear on sagittal view, and similarity to the joint space on coronal view.  Specific signs for associated variants of meniscal bucket handle tears include:
• Flipped Meniscus sign
• Fragment-in-Notch sign
• Double PCL sign
• Double ACL sign
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*Pitfalls:  In addition, potential pitfalls which may be confused with meniscal tears are discussed.
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