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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 10/2016

01-10-2016 | Musculoskeletal

Anterolateral ligament abnormalities in patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture are associated with lateral meniscal and osseous injuries

Authors: Pieter Van Dyck, Stefan Clockaerts, Filip M. Vanhoenacker, Valérie Lambrecht, Kristien Wouters, Eline De Smet, Jan L. Gielen, Paul M. Parizel

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 10/2016

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Abstract

Objective

To determine the frequency of anterolateral ligament (ALL) injury in patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and to analyse its associated injury patterns.

Methods

Ninety patients with acute ACL rupture for which MRI was obtained within 8 weeks after the initial trauma were retrospectively identified. Two radiologists assessed the status of the ALL on MRI by consensus. The presence or absence of an ALL abnormality was compared with the existence of medial and lateral meniscal tears diagnosed during arthroscopy. Associated collateral ligament and osseous injuries were documented with MRI.

Results

Forty-one of 90 knees (46 %) demonstrated ALL abnormalities on MRI. Of 49 knees with intact ALL, 15 (31 %) had a torn lateral meniscus as compared to 25 torn lateral menisci in 41 knees (61 %) with abnormal ALL (p = 0.008). Collateral ligament (p ≤ 0.05) and osseous injuries (p = 0.0037) were more frequent and severe in ALL-injured as compared with ALL-intact knees.

Conclusion

ALL injuries are fairly common in patients with acute ACL rupture and are statistically significantly associated with lateral meniscal, collateral ligament and osseous injuries.

Key Points

• ALL injuries are fairly common in patients with acute ACL rupture.
• ALL injuries are highly associated with lateral meniscal and osseous injuries.
• MRI assessment of ACL-injured knees should include evaluation of the ALL.
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Metadata
Title
Anterolateral ligament abnormalities in patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture are associated with lateral meniscal and osseous injuries
Authors
Pieter Van Dyck
Stefan Clockaerts
Filip M. Vanhoenacker
Valérie Lambrecht
Kristien Wouters
Eline De Smet
Jan L. Gielen
Paul M. Parizel
Publication date
01-10-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 10/2016
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-015-4171-8

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