POSTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY - MR-IMAGING DIAGNOSIS AND PATTERNS OF INJURY

PURPOSE: To illustrate the variety of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL ) injuries and assess the type and frequency of associated knee injuri es. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective review of 1,950 magnetic resonance (MR) examinations of the knee, 47 patients with MR imaging findings of PCL injury were identified. In 24 patients, the findings o n MR images were correlated with athroscopic findings (n = 14) or find ings at physical examination (n = 10). Patterns of associated injuries were described and tabulated. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (45%) had complete PCL tears; 22 patients (47%), partial tears; and four patient s (9%), bone avulsion. Associated injuries were seen in 34 patients (7 2%). Patterns of injuries differed from those seen in anterior cruciat e ligament injury and correlated with the mechanism of trauma. CONCLUS ION: MR imaging proved accurate in assessment of the PCL in patients w ith clinical correlation and demonstrated patterns of associated injur y that may affect management strategy.