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Three tesla magnetic resonance imaging of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee: can we differentiate complete from partial tears?

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the ability of 3.0T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to identify partial tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and to allow distinction of complete from partial ACL tears.

Materials and methods

One hundred seventy-two patients were prospectively studied by 3.0T MR imaging and arthroscopy in our institution. MR images were interpreted in consensus by two experienced reviewers, and the ACL was diagnosed as being normal, partially torn, or completely torn. Diagnostic accuracy of 3.0T MR for the detection of both complete and partial tears of the ACL was calculated using arthroscopy as the standard of reference.

Results

There were 132 patients with an intact ACL, 17 had a partial, and 23 had a complete tear of the ACL seen at arthroscopy. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 3.0T MR for complete ACL tears were 83, 99, and 97%, respectively, and, for partial ACL tears, 77, 97, and 95%, respectively. Five of 40 ACL lesions (13%) could not correctly be identified as complete or partial ACL tears.

Conclusion

MR imaging at 3.0T represents a highly accurate method for identifying tears of the ACL. However, differentiation between complete and partial ACL tears and identification of partial tears of this ligament remains difficult, even at 3.0T.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University Hospital Antwerp and University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Antwerp (Edegem), Belgium

    Pieter Van Dyck, Filip M. Vanhoenacker, Jan L. Gielen & Paul M. Parizel

  2. Department of Radiology, AZ St-Maarten Duffel/Mechelen, Rooienberg 25, 2570, Duffel, Belgium

    Filip M. Vanhoenacker

  3. Department of Orthopedics, University Hospital Antwerp and University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Antwerp (Edegem), Belgium

    Lieven Dossche & Jozef Van Gestel

  4. Department of Scientific Coordination and Biostatistics, University Hospital Antwerp and University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650, Antwerp (Edegem), Belgium

    Kristien Wouters

Authors
  1. Pieter Van Dyck
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  2. Filip M. Vanhoenacker
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  3. Jan L. Gielen
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  4. Lieven Dossche
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  5. Jozef Van Gestel
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  7. Paul M. Parizel
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Correspondence to Pieter Van Dyck.

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Van Dyck, P., Vanhoenacker, F.M., Gielen, J.L. et al. Three tesla magnetic resonance imaging of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee: can we differentiate complete from partial tears?. Skeletal Radiol 40, 701–707 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-010-1044-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-010-1044-8

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