Accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing lateral ankle ligament injuries: A comparative study with surgical findings and timings of scans

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing lateral ankle ligament injuries and the effect of differences in time duration from injury to MRI. Methods Data were collected prospectively from 82 patients who underwent MRI and lateral ligament reconstruction, and were divided into either acute (≤3 months) or chronic (>3 months) group based on injury interval. Findings were classified as normal, partial, or complete tears of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and the calcaneofibular ligament (CFL). MRI results were compared with intraoperative findings and their accuracies were assessed using descriptive statistics. Results The accuracy of MRI for partial and complete tears of the ATFL was 74% and 79%, respectively, with sensitivity and specificity of 64% and 86% for partial tears, and 78% and 80% for complete tears, respectively. The accuracy of MRI was 66% and 88% for partial and complete tears of the CFL with a sensitivity and specificity of 41% and 87% for partial tears, and 61% and 95% for complete tears, respectively. A decrease in the MRI accuracy was observed in the chronic group. Conclusion MRI is accurate in diagnosing ATFL injuries. It is specific but not sensitive for CFL tears. The accuracy is higher in the acute setting of 3 months or less from time of injury to MRI.