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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 10/2007

01-10-2007 | Scientific Article

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of osteochondritis dissecans of the patella

Authors: Yun Sun Choi, Noah A. Cohen, Hollis G. Potter, Douglas N. Mintz

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 10/2007

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Abstract

Objective

The objective was to evaluate the magnetic resonance (MR) appearance of patellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).

Materials and methods

We retrospectively analyzed MR images of 16 patients (18 cases, mean age 20 years) using OCD of the patella. In 5 cases surgery was carried out, and we compared the surgical findings with the MR imaging findings in these cases.

Results

In all 18 cases, OCD was located central-inferiorly on the patella, and the average size was 11 × 11 × 7 mm. Subchondral deformities were present in 16 out of 18 cases (88.9%), subchondral cyst formation in 4 cases (22.2%), reactive bone marrow signal in 8 cases (44.4%), overlying patellar cartilage abnormality in 14 cases (77.8%), loose body in 2 cases (11.1%), patella alta in 8 cases (44.4%), hypoplastic sulcus in 7 cases (38.9%), and synovitis in 4 cases (22.2%). In all 5 cases in which surgery was carried out, the cartilage abnormality classified on the MR images was confirmed, and a loose body was removed at arthroscopy in 2 of the 5 cases.

Conclusion

Magnetic resonance imaging of patellar OCD typically shows subchondral deformity and variable abnormalities of the overlying patellar cartilage located central-inferiorly on the patella.
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Metadata
Title
Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of osteochondritis dissecans of the patella
Authors
Yun Sun Choi
Noah A. Cohen
Hollis G. Potter
Douglas N. Mintz
Publication date
01-10-2007
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 10/2007
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0357-8

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