Purpose
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a widely used imaging modality providing information about the natural structure and injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) (1).
Anatomic and embryologic studies show that the native ACL consists of two distinct functional bundles,
termed the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles,
based on their tibial insertions(2-4).
The ability to reliably and accurately detect AM and PL bundles on MR images is of particular interest.
The use of additional oblique planes of view for the evaluation of AM and...
Methods and Materials
Patients
This study was approved by our hospital ethics committee,
and informed consent was obtained from all patients.
From January through June 2011,
we prospectively selected patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty due to severe osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grades 3 and 4).
Patients with inflammatory or infectious arthritis,
and those with a history of a previous knee injury or previous knee surgery were excluded.
Initially,
61 ACLs were harvested from 58 patients (49 women,
9 men,
age range; 52-84 years,
mean age; 70.4 years).
Cases in...
Results
By linear regression analysis,
correlations between age and sex and ROI values and pathologic,
operative and imaging grades were all insignificant (p > 0.05).
Furthermore,
the difference between 1st and 2nd ROI measurements was insignificant (AM bundle; p = 0.236,
PL bundle; p = 0.824).
The mean ROI values of the AM and PL bundles of the ten normal volunteer on T2* mapping images were 17.9 (range,
16.8 – 20.2) and 17.9 (range,
16.2 – 20),
respectively.
The mean ROI values of AMB and PLB...
Conclusion
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most commonly used and highly valued noninvasive imaging procedure for suspected injuries to the ACL (21).
The main factors in determining the detection of the ACL by MRI are field strength and plane of view.
Although Kwon et al,
(8) reported that additional oblique planes are useful for the evaluation of ACL tears,
most previous studies have concluded that it is not clear which planes and sections are most appropriate for accurate MRI evaluation of the ACL.
Moreover,
the...
References
1.Kaya A,
Karadag D,
Guclu B,
Ucar F,
Benli IT.
Evaluation of the two bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament with 1.5 tesla magnetic resonance imaging.
Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2010; 44(1):54-62.
2.Amis AA,
Dawkins GP.
Functional anatomy of the anterior cruciate ligament.
Fibre bundle actions related to ligament replacements and injuries.
J Bone Joint Surg Br 1991; 73(2):260-267.
3.Chhabra A,
Starman JS,
Ferretti M,
Vidal AF,
Zantop T,
Fu FH.
Anatomic,
radiographic,
biomechanical,
and kinematic evaluation of the anterior cruciate ligament and its two...