MR evaluation of the anterior cruciate ligament: value of supplementing sagittal images with coronal and axial images.

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Abstract
Most studies evaluating the anterior cruciate ligament have focused on sagittal MR images for the diagnosis of injury. Limitations of sagittal images have been reported, however, including nonvisualization and incomplete visualization of the ligament. This study was undertaken to assess the value of adding coronal and axial MR images to sagittal images in the evaluation of the anterior cruciate ligament.We reviewed oblique sagittal T1-weighted, coronal T2-weighted, and axial T2-weighted images to determine the status of the anterior cruciate ligament in 325 patients. All patients had arthroscopy. Sagittal images were initially interpreted alone and then in combination with coronal and axial images.Sagittal T1-weighted images alone had a 94% sensitivity and an 84% specificity for determining the status of the anterior cruciate ligament. A multiplanar evaluation of the anterior cruciate ligament resulted in a change in MR interpretation in 21 patients (6%), which led to an improved sensitivity of 98% and a ...

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