TIBIOFIBULAR SYNDESMOSIS - HIGH-RESOLUTION MRI USING A LOCAL GRADIENTCOIL

Purpose: Our goal was to correlate high-resolution MR images of the ti biofibular syndesmosis with anatomic sections. Method: MRI was perform ed inside a local gradient coil on six cadaveric feet taped in 10-20 d egrees dorsiflexion and 40-50 degrees plantar flexion by using axial a nd coronal T1-weighted SE sequences. After imaging, the specimens were frozen and sectioned into 3-mm-thick slices along the MR planes. Imag es were correlated with the anatomic sections. Results: MRI depicted t he anatomy of the tibiofibular syndesmosis and surrounding structures. With the foot taped in dorsiflexion, axial imaging provided optimum v iews of the anterior, posterior, interosseous, and transverse tibiofib ular ligaments. Coronal images allowed visualization of the entire cou rse of the anterior, posterior, and transverse tibiofibular ligaments. The multifascicular appearance of the anterior tibiofibular ligament was best visualized in coronal sections. With the foot taped in dorsif lexion or in plantar flexion, it was possible to distinguish the poste rior tibiofibular ligament and transverse tibiofibular ligament from t he posterior talofibular ligament in all specimens. Conclusion: High-r esolution MRI using a local gradient coil provides excellent delineati on of the ligaments of the distal tibiofibular syndesmosis.