Acute injury of the ligaments of the knee: magnetic resonance evaluation.

Abstract

Eleven acutely injured knees and 13 normal knees were examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the value of this modality in detecting acute ligamentous injury of the knee. The presence of torn ligaments in the injured knees was determined by arthroscopy and/or arthrotomy in ten cases and clinical follow-up in one case. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments (ACL and PCL) were demonstrated by sagittal spin echo (SE) images through the intercondylar notch (TE = 30 ms; TR = 2,000 ms). The tibial and fibular collateral ligaments (TCL and FCL) were evaluated on coronal SE images (TE = 30 ms, TR = 200 or 530 ms; TE = 120 ms, TR = 2,000 or 2,120 ms). The ACL and PCL were considered torn on MR if they appeared disrupted or were not seen in their normal anatomical positions. The collateral ligaments were considered torn if abnormal high-intensity signal was noted in adjacent soft tissues on TE = 120 ms images or if disruption of a ligament was apparent. Eleven of 15 torn ligaments and 80 of 81 normal ligaments were correctly identified by these criteria. It is concluded that MR imaging may be useful in detecting acute injury of ligaments of the knee.

Role of Mri in Evaluation of Traumatic Knee Injuries

“…Tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) [ Figure 3] -is one of the most common injuries to the knee [1]. The biomechanics involved in ACL tear are -External rotation and abduction with hyperextension; direct forward displacement of the tibia; internal rotation with the knee in full extension.…”

MRI As A Diagnostic Tool In Evaluating Internal Derangements of Knee As Compared to Arthroscopy

“…In a study done by David A.Turner et.al 11 in 1985, they concluded that MR imaging may be useful in detecting acute injury of ligaments of the knee by comparing 13 cases with the arthroscopy and/or arthrotomy . In a study done by Lee JK et.al 12 in 1988, they compared the MR with the findings of two commonly applied clinical tests of ACL instability: the Lachman test and the anterior drawer test and arthroscopy got the following results.…”

Magnetic resonance imaging of knee trauma

“…Injuries are identified by an increased signal intensity due to edema and hemorrhage, increased thickness, abnormal configuration, and/or discontinuity of the ligament [6,20,22] (Fig. 11).…”