MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF TRAUMATIC LESIONS OF THE KNEE

Abstract

Th.is work aims at depicting the impact of MRI as a diagnostic tool in traumatic lesions of the knee. Thirty patients were referred from the Department of Orthopaedics Assiut University Hospital (29 were males and one was a female). Their ages ranged from 19 to 48 years. All patients were subjected to the following: (I) Full history taking.

(2) General clinical examination and local examination for the affected knee . d (3) Arthroscopy and surgery for 21 patients.

(4) MRI of the affected knee.

The most common clinical presentation was pain and clicking in the medial compartment of the knee and local swelling and limitation of movement. Twenty seven patients could be clinically grouped into one of the following lesions (M.M. injury (n=12), ACL injury (n=9), L.M. injury (n=5), P.C.L. injury (n=l). In three patients definite diagnosis cannot be made.

MRI findings revealed that the commenest site for meniscal tears was the medial meniscus (n=7), all of these tears were found in the posterior horn, no anterior horn tears could be found. Lateral meniscus tears (n=4). In ACL injuries (n= 9) the most common findings were none visualization of the ACL or presence of a diffuse amorphous area of high signal within the ligament, beside the finding of PCL buckling in some cases.

Magnetic resonance imaging is non invasvie, causes no discomfort, does not expose the patient to radiation, and well accepted by patients. MRI is a reliable diagnostic tool and can delineate meniscal tears even in the posterior horn. cruciate and collateral ligament injuries, and tendon. capsule