The lateral aspect of the knee is stabilized by a complex arrangement of ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These structures can be demonstrated with routine spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences performed in the sagittal, coronal, and axial planes. Anterolateral stabilization is provided by the capsule and iliotibial tract. Posterolateral stabilization is provided by the arcuate ligament complex, which comprises the lateral collateral ligament; biceps femoris tendon; popliteus muscle and tendon; popliteal meniscal and popliteal fibular ligaments; oblique popliteal, arcuate, and fabellofibular ligaments; and lateral gastrocnemius muscle. Injuries to lateral knee structures are less common than injuries to medial knee structures but may be more disabling. Most lateral compartment injuries are associated with damage to the cruciate ligaments and medial knee structures. Moreover, such injuries are frequently overlooked at clinical examination. Structures of the anterolateral quadrant are the most frequently injured; posterolateral instability is considerably less common. Practically all tears of the lateral collateral ligament are associated with damage to posterolateral knee structures. Most injuries of the popliteus muscle and tendon are associated with damage to other knee structures. MR imaging can demonstrate these injuries. Familiarity with the musculotendinous anatomy of the knee will facilitate accurate diagnosis with MR imaging.
Gadodiamide-enhanced MR angiography performed with single and triple doses is safe and effective for assessing major abdominal arterial stenoses. Although high agreement between MR angiography and DSA was achieved with both doses, triple-dose MR angiography was superior in the evaluations of image quality, degree of arterial stenoses, and confidence in diagnosis.
We present four cases of internal carotid artery (ICA) transposition which caused widening of the retropharyngeal soft tissues. Internal carotid artery transposition is a rare cause of retropharyngeal space enlargement, which can be accurately diagnosed in a non-invasive manner with spiral CT. Radiologists should be aware of this entity in the differential diagnosis of retropharyngeal space enlargement in symptomatic (dysphagia, pulsatile mass) and asymptomatic patients, and alert the clinician of its existence, due to the risk of massive bleeding if neck surgery is to be performed.
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