Evaluation of anterior cruciate ligament repair using magnetic resonance imaging

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the MR imaging findings after anterior cruicate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and to study the value of MRI in assessment of ACL reconstrction using arthroscopy as a gold standnad. Material and methods: Two radiologists reviewed MRI findings of 32 patients post ACL reconstrction retrospectively. Evaluation of MRI findings includes, primary & sceondary sings of graft failure and ACL graft reconstrcyin complications. Arthroscopy study was performed within 15–20 days from MR examination. Our results of MRI were comapred to the result of arthroscopy. The kappa values for interobserver variability were calculated. Results: A total of 32 male patients were studied, with a mean age of 27 years, Arthroscopy revealed 13 patients with full-thickness ACL graft tears, 8 partial-thickness ACL graft tears and 11 intact ACL grafts. Graft fiber continuty and 100% graft thickness were most valuableprimary sign in diagnosis of intact graft Complete discontinuous graft was valuable in diagnosis of full-thickness tear. Focal graft thinning was valuable in diagnosis of partial graft tear. Anterior tibial translation and uncovered posterior horn lateral meniscus are secondary sings that helped in differentiating partial or full thickness from intact graft. Conclusion: We conclude that MRI imaging is a reliable tool for the assessment of ACL reconstruction outcome.