European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Objective: Our research aimed to characterize the occurrence of anterior cruciate ligament ganglia on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as the coexistence of these ganglia with mucoid degeneration, and to investigate the clinical implications of these entities.
Materials and methods: A database search conducted over a period of two years on 1500 knee MRI tests found that 75 of the patients had recorded instances of anterior cruciate ligament ganglion or mucoid degeneration. Imaging criteria for ligament ganglion included the presence of fluid signal in the ligament that was disproportionate to joint fluid and shown mass influence on intact ligament bundles. It was determined how large ganglia were, where they were located, how complicated they were, and how much lobulation they had. The presence of ligament bundles that were difficult to identify on T1-weighted and proton density-weighted images but which seemed to be intact on T2-weighted images was one of the criteria for the diagnosis of mucoid degeneration. It was discovered that there were intraosseous cysts at the ligament attachments, as well as the presence of joint effusion. When clinically accessible, an evaluation of the degree of ligament instability was documented.
Results: 42 out of 75 tests that satisfied the imaging criteria exhibited distinct intraligamentous ganglia, 14 out of 75 examinations had mucoid degeneration, and 19 out of 75 examinations had signs of both. There was no clinical indication of instability in 49out of the 55 individuals whose data were available. At the time of the arthroscopy, twelve of the patients who had had the procedure had an undamaged anterior cruciate ligament.
Conclusion: On MRIs, anterior cruciate ligament ganglia and mucoid degeneration often occur together but are not generally linked to ligament instability.