PLAIN RADIOGRAPHY & MRI CORRELATION IN SOFT TISSUE INJURIES OF THE KNEE JOINT

Abstract

Introduction: The primary aim is to identify and establish new signs in plain radiography of the knee joint that could indicate soft tissue abnormalities that are established on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). To correlate the plain radiographic features to that of the MRI findings which is the gold standard in the evaluation of the knee disorders.

Methodology: A prospective cross sectional study was done on a total of 50 patients including both the sexes and of all age groups who presented with knee joint pain and subsequently underwent plain radiographic evaluation followed by MRI of the knee joint. The data is analyzed and the findings on plain radiographs correlated with that of MRI.

Results: The most common soft tissue injuries as identified on MRI of the knee joint were that of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and medial meniscus (MM). Knee joint effusion was found to be a common occurrence in cases of trauma. These findings were also identified on plain radiographs.

Conclusion: Sign complexes on plain radiograph with regard to joint space, inter condylar region of tibia, tibial plateaus, soft tissue planes at the tibio femoral joint, supra and infra patellar regions on lateral radiograms, and calcifications in soft tissue planes indicate various soft tissue injuries of the knee as detected and confirmed on MRI. Thus plain radiograph stands as a primary imaging modality in diagnosing not only the osseous abnormalities of the knee joint but also soft tissue abnormalities in comparison to MRI.