SURAJ KABADI
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, MS IV
Lower Extremity Trauma: An Atlas of
Radiologic Findings of ACL Injury
Outline
Our Patient Presentation
Evaluation of Acute Knee Pain
Appropriateness of Imaging for Acute Knee Pain
Anatomy and Injuries of the ACL
Primary Signs of ACL Injury
Secondary Signs of ACL Injury
Management of ACL Injury
Our Patient: History and Physical
History
KJ is a 36-year-old male who presents to the ER with pain in
his left knee
While playing soccer yesterday, he felt his knee “twist” with
part of his knee rotating in and part rotating out
He also heard something “pop” in his knee
No swelling or redness; just pain
Physical Exam
Diffusely tender to palpation over knee, but without any
swelling
Positive Lachman test with significant laxity
Acute Knee Pain: Differential Diagnosis
Traumatic
Fractures
Ligamentous or meniscal injury
Effusion or hemarthrosis
Non-traumatic
Septic or inflammatory joint
Crystalline disease
OA
Bursitis
Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Baker’s cyst +/- rupture
Acute Knee Pain: Physical Exam Signs
Inspection, Palpation, ROM
Provocative Tests
MCL – Valgus Stress Test
LCL Complex – Varus Stress Test
PCL – Posterior Drawer Test
ACL – Anterior Drawer Test, Lachman Test
Menisci – McMurray Test, Apley Compression Test
Patella – Osmond-Clarke Test, Apprehension Test
Appropriateness of Imaging: Knee Rules
Ottawa Knee Rules
X-rays are required for acute knee injury with any one of the
following:
Age 55 years or older
Tenderness at head of fibula
Isolated tenderness of patella
Inability to flex to 90°
Inability to bear weight both immediately and in the emergency
department (4 steps)
Pittsburgh Knee Rules
X-rays are required for blunt trauma or a fall as mechanism of injury
with either of the following:
Age younger than 12 years or older than 50 years
Inability to walk four weight-bearing steps in the emergency
department
Appropriateness of Imaging: ACR Criteria 1
From ACR Appropriateness Criteria. (2011).
Appropriateness of Imaging: ACR Criteria 2
From ACR Appropriateness Criteria. (2011).
Modalities of Imaging: X-Ray and CT
Plain Films
Initial imaging modality of choice for evaluation of post-traumatic
and acute knee pain or instability.
Four views (AP, lateral, merchant, and notch) may detect subtle
fractures or bony avulsions caused by detachments of the cruciate or
collateral ligaments and can confirm the direction of dislocation.
Can readily identify joint effusions
CT
Comparable accuracy to that of MRI for the assessment of tibial
plateau fractures.
Useful in looking for loose bodies and retro-patellar problems.
Multi-slice CT arthrography has a high diagnostic accuracy in
detection of anterior cruciate ligament tears and associated meniscal
lesions and articular cartilage pathology. However, MRI has largely
replaced this modality.
Modalities of Imaging: MRI
MRI
Investigation of choice for evaluation of post-traumatic and acute knee pain or
instability, when available.
High accuracy in detection of:
Meniscal tears
Cruciate ligament tears
Collateral ligamentous injuries
Bone bruises
Osteochondral defects
Chondromalacia patellae as well as less common pathologies
Cost-effective in reducing the number of diagnostic arthroscopies.
Other advantages: non-invasive, no ionizing radiation, superior soft tissue contrast,
ability to demonstrate both intra-articular and extra-articular abnormalities
Limitations: decreased diagnostic accuracy in patients with multiple injuries of the
knee, high expense.
Our Patient: Plain Films
From PACS, BIDMC.
X-Ray: AP of Both Knees
Normal
From PACS, BIDMC.
X-Ray: Lateral of Left Knee
Normal
Our Patient: Knee MRI 1
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Sagittal of Left Knee
Increased signal within the
ACL with complete disruption
of ligament fibers, consistent
with complete ACL Tear
Our Patient: Knee MRI 2
Increased, linear signal
through the posterior horn of
the medial meniscus extending
to both sides of the articular
surface, consistent with a tear
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Sagittal of Left Knee
Our Patient: Knee MRI 3
Increased signal around the
MCL without disruption of
fibers, consistent with Grade 1
MCL sprain
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Coronal of Left Knee
ACL: Anatomy and Role
Anatomy
Originates along the medial
wall of the lateral femoral
condyle
Two bundles (anteromedial
and posterolateral) that insert
into the tibial plateau just
anterior to the intercondyloid
eminence (tibial spine)
Stabilization Functions
Prevents anterior
displacement of the tibia
Resists internal rotation of the
knee
Resists hyperextension of the
knee
From Netter. (2006).
ACL: Injuries and Mechanisms
Mechanism of injury
Most commonly due to either significant deceleration, rotational, or
hyperextension force
History will often include sudden stop or change of direction, landing
from a jump, or trauma; patient may describe knee “giving way” or
an audible “pop”
Pain is sudden in onset, and usually onset of effusion occurs within
several hours
Associated injuries
Important to assess all other ligaments and menisci in the knee by
physical exam and imaging, as twisting or traumatic injuries will
often damage other structures
Classically can see O'Donoghue's triad: Complete or partial tear of
the anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and the
medial meniscus
ACL: Grading Injuries
Grade 1 Tear
aka Microscopic Tear
Intact ligament of normal thickness with surrounding edema
Grade 2 Tear
aka Partial Tear
Thickened and/or partial disruption of the fibers of the
ligament with an increased amount of surrounding edema
Grade 3 Tear
aka Complete Tear
Complete disruption of the ligament with corresponding
surrounding hemorrhage and edema.
Companion Patient 1: Grade 3 ACL Tear
Normal ACL Grade 3 ACL Tear
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: Proton-Density Sagittal of Left Knee
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: Proton-Density Sagittal of Left Knee
ACL Tears: Primary Signs 1
Discontinuity of the ACL, where
the fibers of the ACL cannot be
seen either in the sagittal or
coronal plane.
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: Proton-Density Sagittal of Left Knee
ACL Tears: Primary Signs 2
Discontinuity of the ACL, where
the fibers of the ACL cannot be
seen either in the sagittal or
coronal plane.
Abnormal ACL signal, consisting
of isointensity on T1 an increased
signal intensity on T2 either
within the substance of the ACL
or surrounding it.
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Sagittal of Left Knee
ACL Tears: Primary Signs 3
Discontinuity of the ACL, where
the fibers of the ACL cannot be
seen either in the sagittal or
coronal plane.
Abnormal ACL signal, consisting
of isointensity on T1 an increased
signal intensity on T2 either
within the substance of the ACL
or surrounding it.
Abnormal contour of the ACL,
demonstrated by fibers of the
ACL not running parallel to the
intercondylar line of Blumensaat.
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: Proton-Density Sagittal of Left Knee
ACL Tears: Secondary Signs
Kissing Contusions
Segond Fracture
ACL Avulsion Fracture
Anterior Tibial Translation
Hyperbuckled PCL
Uncovered Posterior Horn of Lateral Meniscus
Deep Lateral Femoral Notch
Our Patient: Kissing Contusions
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Sagittal of Left Knee
Increased signal in lateral
femoral condyle and posterior
lateral tibial plateau
Companion Patient 2: Kissing Contusions
Increased signal in lateral
femoral condyle and posterior
lateral tibial plateau
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Sagittal of Left Knee
Kissing Contusions: Anatomy and Significance
Occurs due to anterior displacement of tibia as a
result of ACL injury
Contusion involves the mid to anterolateral femoral
condyle and posterolateral tibial plateau
Increased T2 signal attributable to subcortical
microfracture, edema, or hemorrhage
Companion Patient 3: Segond Fracture
From PACS, BIDMC.
X-Ray: AP of Left Knee
Elliptic fragment of bone adjacent to the
lateral tibial plateau, with cortical
irregularity of the tibial plateau
Segond Fracture: Anatomy and Significance
Small vertical avulsion of the proximal lateral tibia
immediately distal to the tibial plateau, best seen on plain
films as an elliptic fragment of bone parallel to the tibia
Occurs at the tibial insertion of the middle third of the
lateral capsular ligament
Precipitating injury usually involves internal rotation
combined with varus stress
Is associated with a high incidence of coexisting ACL and
meniscal injuries, likely due to mechanism of injury
Tibial donor site should be identified to distinguish a
Segond fracture from avulsion fracture of Gerdy’s
tubercle
Companion Patient 4: ACL Avulsion Fracture (X-Ray)
From PACS, BIDMC.
X-Ray: Intercondylar Notch View of Right Knee
Displaced bone fragment with cortical
irregularity of adjacent tibial spine
Companion Patient 4: ACL Avulsion Fracture (MRI)
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Sagittal of Right Knee
Displaced bone fragment with
cortical irregularity of adjacent
tibial spine
Increased signal surrounding
bone fragment
Companion Patient 5: ACL Avulsion Fracture (MRI)
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Sagittal of Right Knee
Displaced bone fragment with
cortical irregularity of adjacent
tibial spine
Increased signal surrounding
bone fragment
ACL Avulsion Fracture: Anatomy and Mechanism
Usually occurs at the distal insertion site of the ACL
just medial and anterior to the tibial eminence
Occurs in a minority of cases, and is associated with
Grade 1 & 2 injuries
More common in children than adults, and
mechanism varies
For children, usually occurs secondary to forced flexion of the
knee with internal rotation of the tibia
For adults, results from severe hyperextension
ACL Avulsion Fracture: Imaging Findings
Difficult to recognize on plain film
When seen, appears as a tiny bone fragment in the
intercondylar notch with cortical irregularity of the
adjacent tibial eminence suggesting a donor site for
the fragment
Easier to see on MRI, with Meyers and McKeever
classification
Type 1 – Minimally displaced fragment -> Conservative
management
Types 2-4 – Increasing degrees of
separation/rotation/comminution -> Arthroscopy
recommended with possible internal fixation
Companion Patient 6: Anterior Tibial Translation
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: Proton-Density Sagittal of Left Knee
Posterior cortex of lateral tibial
plateau
Posterior cortex of lateral
femoral condyle
Anterior Tibial Translation: Imaging Findings
Measured at the level of
the midlateral femoral
condyle
Measured from the
posterior cortex of the
lateral tibial plateau to
the posterior cortex of the
lateral femoral condyle
Distances > 5 mm are
considered abnormal
From Prince, J., et al. (2005).
MRI: Proton-Density Sagittal of Knee
Hyperbuckled PCL: Imaging Findings
PCL is considered to be
hyperbuckled if any portion
of its posterosuperior border
is concave
Alternatively, measure an
angle created by lines placed
parallel to the femoral portion
of the PCL and tibial portion
of the PCL
Angle > 105 degrees is abnormal
Likely due to abnormal
stresses on PCL after an ACL
tear, particularly during
hyperextension injuries
111o
From Prince, J., et al. (2005).
MRI: Proton-Density Sagittal of Knee
Uncovered Posterior Horn of Lateral Meniscus: Imaging Findings
Sign is present when a
vertical line drawn
tangent to the posterior
cortical margin of the
lateral tibial plateau
intersects any part of the
posterior horn of the
lateral meniscus
Related to anterior
displacement of tibia
during ACL injury
From Prince, J., et al. (2005).
MRI: Proton-Density Sagittal of Knee
Companion Patient 7: Deep Lateral Femoral Notch (X-Ray)
From PACS, BIDMC.
X-Ray: Lateral of Left Knee
Depression of the lateral
condylopatellar sulcus
Companion Patient 7: Deep Lateral Femoral Notch (MRI)
From PACS, BIDMC.
MRI: T2-Weighted Sagittal of Left Knee
Depression of the lateral
condylopatellar sulcus with
osteochondral “step-off” defect
Deep Lateral Femoral Notch: Imaging Findings
Also known as the deep sulcus sign of the knee
Characterized by an abnormally deep depression of
the lateral condylopatellar sulcus
Depth is calculated by drawing a tangent across the
sulcus on the articulating surface of the lateral
condyle, then measuring perpendicular from this line
to the deepest point of the sulcus
Depths greater than 1.5 mm are considered
abnormal
Companion Patient 7: Measurement of Deep Lateral Femoral Notch (X-Ray)
From PACS, BIDMC.
X-Ray: Lateral of Left Knee
Tangent across the sulcus on
the articulating surface of the
lateral condyle, with depth of
sulcus measuring 2.50 mm
Deep Lateral Femoral Notch: Mechanism
Attributed to an impacted osteochondral fracture,
most often due to a complete ACL tear
A complete tear allows the posterior aspect of the lateral tibial
plateau and the middle to anterior portion of the lateral
femoral condyle to forcefully impact against one another due to
anterior subluxation of the tibia. When forceful enough, this
can cause an impacted fracture.
This impaction fracture is readily apparent on lateral
radiographs when present.
Although this sign is a highly infrequent finding in
patients with ACL tears, an abnormally deep lateral
condylopatellar sulcus is highly suggestive of a torn
ACL.
ACL Injuries: Management
Non-surgical treatment
Braces, physical therapy
Often used as a bridge to surgery
May be only treatment necessary for the elderly, those with low
physical activity, or Grade 1 tears with maintained stability
Surgical treatment
Arthroscopic reconstruction is the definitive treatment
Torn ligament is replaced with tissue graft, which is often taken
from either the patellar tendon, hamstring tendons, or
quadriceps tendon
Post-surgical rehab is critical, and usually last 6+ months
Key Points
ACL injuries commonly result from deceleration,
rotational, and/or hyperextension forces
Evaluation of traumatic knee pain should begin with
plain films, followed by MRI when appropriate
The three primary signs of ACL tears are best visualized
on sagittal, T2-weighted or proton density knee MRI
There are multiple secondary signs of ACL tears, some of
which, e.g. Segond fracture, can be visualized on plain
films
Grading ACL injuries and identifying associated injuries
to other knee structures using appropriate imaging
techniques is vital to patient management
References
1. Lee, K., Slegal, M., Lau, D., Hildebolt, C., Matava, M. (1999). Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Tears: MR Imaging-based Diagnosis in a Pediatric population. Radiology, 213: 697-704.
2. Brandser, E., Riley, M., Berbaum, K., El-Khoury, G., Bennett, D. (1996). MR Imaging of
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Independent Value of Primary and Secondary Signs.
AJR, 167: 121-126.
3. Prince, J., Laor, T., Bean, J. (2005). MRI of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and
Associated Findings in the Pediatric Knee: Changes with Skeletal Maturation. AJR, 185: 756-
762.
4. Pao, D. (2001). The Lateral Femoral Notch Sign. Radiology, 219: 800-801.
5. Gottsegen, C., Eyer, B., White, E., Learch, T., Forrester, D. (2008). Avulsion Fractures of the
Knee: Imaging Findings and Clinical Significance. Radiographics, 28: 1755-1770.
6. Cappsa, G., Hayes, C. (1994). Easily Missed Injuries Around the Knee. Radiographics, 14:
1191-1210.
7. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2009). Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries.
Retrieved September 10, 2011, from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00549.
8. American College of Radiology. (2011). ACR Appropriateness Criteria: Acute Trauma to the
Knee. Retrieved September 13, 2011, from
http://www.acr.org/SecondaryMainMenuCategories/quality_safety/app_criteria/pdf/Exper
tPanelonMusculoskeletalImaging/AcuteTraumatotheKneeDoc2.aspx.
9. Pedowitz, R., Resnick, D., Chung, C. (2008). Knee. In Magnetic Resonance Imaging in
Orthopedic Sports Medicine. New York: Springer.
10. Netter, F. (2006). Atlas of Human Anatomy. Philadelphia: Elsevier.
Acknowledgements
Dr. Jim S. Wu for providing companion cases
Lower Extremity Trauma: An Atlas of Radiologic Findings of ACL Injury
Outline
Our Patient: History and Physical
Acute Knee Pain: Differential Diagnosis
Acute Knee Pain: Physical Exam Signs
Appropriateness of Imaging: Knee Rules
Appropriateness of Imaging: ACR Criteria 1
Appropriateness of Imaging: ACR Criteria 2
Modalities of Imaging: X-Ray and CT
Modalities of Imaging: MRI
Our Patient: Plain Films
Our Patient: Knee MRI 1
Our Patient: Knee MRI 2
Our Patient: Knee MRI 3
ACL: Anatomy and Role
ACL: Injuries and Mechanisms
ACL: Grading Injuries
Companion Patient 1: Grade 3 ACL Tear
ACL Tears: Primary Signs 1
ACL Tears: Primary Signs 2
ACL Tears: Primary Signs 3
ACL Tears: Secondary Signs
Our Patient: Kissing Contusions
Companion Patient 2: Kissing Contusions
Kissing Contusions: Anatomy and Significance
Companion Patient 3: Segond Fracture
Segond Fracture: Anatomy and Significance
Companion Patient 4: ACL Avulsion Fracture (X-Ray)
Companion Patient 4: ACL Avulsion Fracture (MRI)
Companion Patient 5: ACL Avulsion Fracture (MRI)
ACL Avulsion Fracture: Anatomy and Mechanism
ACL Avulsion Fracture: Imaging Findings
Companion Patient 6: Anterior Tibial Translation
Anterior Tibial Translation: Imaging Findings
Hyperbuckled PCL: Imaging Findings
Uncovered Posterior Horn of Lateral Meniscus: Imaging Findings
Companion Patient 7: Deep Lateral Femoral Notch (X-Ray)
Companion Patient 7: Deep Lateral Femoral Notch (MRI)
Deep Lateral Femoral Notch: Imaging Findings
Companion Patient 7: Measurement of Deep Lateral Femoral Notch (X-Ray)
Deep Lateral Femoral Notch: Mechanism
ACL Injuries: Management
Key Points
References
Acknowledgements