Ravi Ningappa1, Jayasudha2
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To evaluate ligament and meniscal injuries and secondary signs, using MRI. 2. To analyse the types and grades of the tears.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR imaging studies of knee was performed in 200 patients, presenting to the department of radiodiagnosis, BMCRI from September-2013 to September -2014 with history of trauma and clinical suspicion of internal derangement of knee. Various sequences in coronal, sagittal and axial planes were obtained.
RESULTS: Out of 200 patients evaluated, medial meniscus tear was the most common internal derangement. 94 patients showed medial meniscus tear and associated anterior cruciate ligament tear was found in 76 patients. Medial collateral ligament sprain was seen in 18 patients, lateral meniscus injury was seen in 26 patients, lateral collateral ligament injury was seen in 8 patients, posterior cruciate ligament injury was seen in 16 patients, 20 patients showed cartilage defect and 18 percent showed no internal derangement. Associated secondary signs such as bone contusions were seen in 60 individuals and minimal to moderate joint effusion was seen in 74 individuals.
CONCLUSION: MRI is an accurate, noninvasive modality in detecting ligament and meniscal injury of knee. It shows great capability in classifying them into types and grades. Special sequences are useful and should be included in the protocol.
