ABSTRACT
To determine the usefulness of MR axial images for diagnosis ACL tears, we reviewed MRIs of 67 patients with ACL tear confirmed by arthroscopic examination, retrospectively. There were 53 acute and 14 chronic tears. The axial MR images had a 97% sensitivity(acute: 96%, chronic: 100%). Findings of acute ACL tears on sequential axial imaging could be categorized as 1) diffuse swelling with abnormal substance signal in 14 cases(27.5%), 2) focal bulging or irregularity of medial border in 11 cases(21.6%) or 3) combination of the two in 26 cases(50.9%). Findings of chronic ACL tears also could be categorized as abnormally irregular thin fibers in 6 cases(42.9%) or nonvisualization(empty lateral wall) in 8 cases(57.1%). We concluded that MR axial images could provide additional useful information in the diagnosis of ACL tear.