Peroneal tendon pathology evaluation using the oblique sagittal plane in ankle MR imaging

Because peroneal tendons course from the lateral side of the proximal fibula through the posterior side of the distal fibula, correct diagnosis of the tendon pathology on an orthogonal sagittal plane can be difficult.

To evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of oblique sagittal imaging (peroneal view) for evaluation of peroneal tendon pathology.

This retrospective study included 69 patients at our institution who underwent routine ankle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the peroneal view. Twenty-three patients underwent arthroscopy. Anatomic identification of the peroneal tendons on orthogonal sagittal MRI sequences and peroneal views were evaluated. Two radiologists evaluated the peroneal tendons based on an entire length view, an entire width view, and margin sharpness using a 4-point scale. Diagnostic accuracy using orthogonal sagittal and peroneal views was evaluated by calculating sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Arthroscopic or clinical findings were used as the reference standard.

Total anatomical scores on the peroneal view were higher than those of the orthogonal sagittal views (P < 0.001). Both readers were able to identify anatomy of the tendon using the full length, full width and sharp margin, and determined that the peroneal view was better when compared with the orthogonal sagittal views (P < 0.001). Although the sensitivity and accuracy of the peroneal view in the diagnosis of peroneal tendon injury were slightly higher than orthogonal view, the values were not statistically significant.

Peroneal views provide better anatomic evaluation of the peroneal tendons itself, although cannot show significant superiority in the diagnostic performances.