Related Experiment Videos
Normal patellar retinaculum: MR and sonographic imaging with cadaveric correlation
M Starok1, L Lenchik, D Trudell
1Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Science Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|June 1, 1997
Summary
MR imaging and sonography define knee retinacular anatomy. Conventional T1-weighted axial MR images best visualize retinacular components, while oblique planes offer additional detail for deep ligaments.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic imaging
- Anatomical MRI
- Musculoskeletal sonography
Background:
- The knee retinaculum is crucial for patellar stability.
- Detailed anatomical understanding of the retinaculum is essential for diagnosing knee pathologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To delineate retinacular anatomy using Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging and sonography.
- To compare the efficacy of different MR imaging planes and sonography in visualizing retinacular structures.
Main Methods:
- Examination of five cadaveric knee specimens using sonography and MR imaging.
- MR imaging included T1-weighted axial, sagittal, coronal, and oblique planes, plus 3D gradient-echo imaging.
- Correlation of imaging findings with gross anatomical sections, with three specimens injected with contrast.
Main Results:
- T1-weighted axial MR images effectively showed superficial and deep retinacular layers.
- Oblique sagittal and coronal MR planes provided clearer visualization of deep ligaments in the craniocaudal dimension.
- Sonography identified the retinacula as bilaminar but could not differentiate individual deep ligaments.
Conclusions:
- Conventional T1-weighted axial MR imaging is valuable for visualizing retinacular components, including the medial patellofemoral ligament.
- Oblique imaging planes serve as a useful adjunct to axial views for retinacular assessment.
- Sonography reliably identifies the retinacula and is a potentially useful tool for their evaluation.