TIBIAL PLATEAU FRACTURES - EVALUATION WITH MR-IMAGING

Thirty patients with 31 tibial plateau fractures, initially diagnosed with standard radiography, were further studied with biplane linear to mography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Each fracture was catego rized according to the Schatzker classification. The extent of comminu tion and articular depression was determined for each modality. MR ima ges were also evaluated for the presence of accompanying meniscal and ligamentous injury. In each case, MR imaging was noted to be as effect ive as tomography in depicting the amount of articular depression. MR imaging was found to be more effective than tomography in determining the extent of comminution. Beyond demonstrating the fracture, MR imagi ng was capable of revealing associated ligamentous and meniscal injuri es. There was an increased prevalence of accompanying soft-tissue inju ries in those fracture types that are associated with more violent for ces and as the extent of articular depression increased. MR imaging is a useful and effective means of preoperatively evaluating tibial plat eau fractures.