MRI evaluation of bone and ligament injury in acute knee trauma

Objective:To evaluate bone and ligament injury in acute knee trauma patients by MRI.Methods:38 cases with acute knee trauma were imaged with MRI,especially on STIR sequence.According to the manifestation of plain film,the bone injury was divided into obvious fracture and subtle injury.The ligament injuries included tear and disruption.Results:45 bone injuries were found in 38 cases,including 28(73%) obvious fractures and 17(44%)subtle injuries(bone contusion).Tibia was affected in 84% cases.Multiple ligaments were injured in 86% patients.MCL,ACL and PCL were mostly affected.74% injuries ligaments was not adjacent to the site of bone injuries.Conclusion:Tibia is most probably affected bone in acute knee bone injuries,which is often associated with several ligament injuries.But the injured ligaments are not always adjacent to injured bone.The tear and disruption of knee ligament could be shown clearly on MRI STIR image.And a quite number lesions of acute subtle bone injury could only be detected with MR imeging.