Original Article

MRI and arthroscopic findings in acute and chronic ACL injuries. A pictorial essay

Christos K. Yiannakopoulos¹, Iakovos E. Vlastos¹, Natali Sideri², Olympia Papakonstantinou²

1. Sports Medicine & Biology of Exercise Department, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian, University of Athens, Greece
2. 2^nd Department of Radiology, “Attikon” Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

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Keywords: ACL, Arthroscopy, Cartilage, Knee, Meniscus, MRI

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Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to present the various forms that an ACL injury may acquire on MRI and knee arthroscopy. Methods: The MR imaging studies and arthroscopy files of 192 patients with an acute or chronic ACL injury were reviewed by an independent musculoskeletal radiologist and the imaging finding were confirmed or disapproved during knee arthroscopy. Results: MR imaging findings in regard to ACL tears were confirmed in 186 cases (96,87%), in meniscal injuries in 106/122 (86.88%) cases and in full thickness articular cartilage defect in 33/36 (91.6%) cases. The main source of error was an inadequately performed MRI from a technical point of view. Conclusion: High resolution 3T MRI is very reliable in detecting ACL, meniscus and articular cartilage lesions in acute and chronic injuries. Level of evidence: Level IV, Case series.

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