J Korean Radiol Soc.  2003 Apr;48(4):337-343. 10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.4.337.

MR Imaging Findings of Avulsion Fracture of the Tibial Spine of the Knee, Focusing on Cruciate Ligament Tear

• Kim SW
• Hong HP
• Jin W
• Ryu KN

• KMID: 2103731
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.4.337

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the presence of cruciate ligament tears following avulsion injuries involving the ACL and PCL, and to correlate the findings with those of surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between March 1997 and May 2002, avulsion injury involving the ACL or PCL was diagnosed in 19 patients. Ten of these [8 males and 2 females aged 10-51 (avergae, 27.7) years] were included in this study. We assessed the presence of cruciate ligament tears at MR imaging, correlating the findings with those of surgery. Associated intra-articular injuries, treatment methods and follow-up results were also evaluated.
RESULTS
Among Seven patients with ACL avulsion injury, this was assessed at MR imaging as complete tear (n=1), partial tear (n=5), or intact (n=1), while all MR images of PCL avulsion injury (n=3) showed that this was partial tear. All imaging findings corresponded with the surgical findings. In four patients there was associated knee injury involving, respectively, tears of the medial meniscus, lateral meniscus, PCL and MCL, and popliteal ligament.
CONCLUSION
Our findings showed that with one exception, patients with avulsion injury of the ACL or PCL had suffered either a partial or complete tear. MR imaging may be useful in the diagnosis of tears of the cruciate ligament which have not been noticed at surgery or arthroscopy in avulsion injuries involving the ACL and PCL.

Keyword

Knee, MR; Knee, fractures; Knee, ligaments, menisci, and cartilage

MeSH Terms

Arthroscopy
Diagnosis
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Knee Injuries
Knee*
Ligaments*
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Male
Menisci, Tibial
Spine*