European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Since its introduction to musculoskeletal imaging in early 1980, MRI has revolutionized diagnostic imaging of the knee. It has, therefore, become the examination of choice in the evaluation of internal joint structures of the knee like menisci, cruciate ligaments and articular cartilage.
Purpose: The objectives of this study is to describe the most commonly injured ligament of knee, MRI features of various Ligament injuries and associations, and most common age group involved in ligament injuries of knee.
Materials and Methods: MR imaging studies of the knee were performed in 120 patients with history of painful knee joint and suspected ligament injury (men, women; mean age 33.86 years) using a 1.5 T MR machine. The sequences included coronal and sagittal PD, sagittal T2 FSE, fat suppressed T2 FSE, STIR axial and coronal. Knee MR studies were obtained to evaluate ligaments and menisci.
Results: Out of 120 casses ACL tears arePresent in 92 cases and absent in 28 cases. Among 92 cases 32 are complete ACL tear, 60 are partial ACL tears. Out of total 120 patients meniscal tears are seen in 98 patients and Among 92 patients with ACL tear, 78 patients had associated meniscal tear. Among 120 cases studied only 10 are having posterior cruciate ligament tear
Conclusion: MRI is a non-invasive and accurate technique for examination of the soft tissues and osseous structures of the knee. It has great capability in diagnosing meniscal tears and classifying them into grades and types which would avoid unnecessary arthroscopic examination. It is a very good modality to diagnose complete tears of the ACL. Disadvantages are the limited accuracy in evaluation of hyaline articular cartilage