Ex-vivo MR imaging of the cruciate ligaments

Eight pairs of cruciate ligaments were obtained at autopsy for ex-vivo MR imaging. Image analysis demonstrated no differences in intrinsic signal characteristics between the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Histologic examination showed no differences in ligament organization. These findings support the hypothesis that the normal signal intensity difference between the ACL and PCL noted on clinical images is due to a volume-averaging artifact.