Diagnostic Accurracy of MR Imaging and Pattern of Injury in the Posterior Cruciate Ligament injury

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of MR imaging in posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) injuries, to describe the variety of these injuries and to assess the type and frequency of associated knee injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospetively analysed 75 cases with knee injuries. In all cases, the prescence of a PCL tear was determined by arthroscopy or surgery and the type of tear and patterns of associated knee injuries were described. RESULTS: Twenty-eight PCL tears were identified with arthroscopy or surgery. Figures for the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MR diagnosis for the PCL injury were 86%, 94% and 91% respectively. Twenty-one cases(75%) had complete PCL tears and seven (25%) had partial tears. The commonest tear site was midsubstance(18 cases, 64.3%). Twenty-seven cases(96%) had associated knee injuries ; the remaining patient(4%) had isolated PCL injuries. There were 19 cases(68%) of ligamentous injuries, ten (36%) of meniscal tear, ten (36%)of bony injuries, and 20 (71%) of joint effusions. Of the ligamentous injuries, those involving the medialcollateral ligament were most often seen(10 cases, 36%). CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging is an accurate method for the detection and evaluation of PCL injury and associated knee abnormalities.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Low Tesla MR Imaging in the Internal Derangement of the Knee

PURPOSE: This study is for the evaluation of low tesla(0.064T) MR imaging diagnostic accuracy in the internal derangement of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the MR images of 36 injured knees of 35 patients. The presence of tear was determined by arthroscopy or surgery in all cases. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value of low tesla MRI for the diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament injury were 83%, 88%, 86%, 77%, 91%, for the posterior cruciate ligament 75%, 95%, 86%, 92%, 83%, for the medial collateral ligament 83%, 96%, 92%, 91%, 92%, for the lateral collateral ligament 67%, 97%, 94%, 67%, 97%, for the menisci 75%, 93%, 89%, 75%, 93%. CONCLUSION: The low tesla MRI is an accurate method in detection and evaluation of the internal derangement of the knee.

CT and Fluoroscopy Guided Celiac Ganglion Block

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects and usefulness of fiuroscopy guided celiac ganglion block after marking of needle path with CT scan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Celiac ganglion block with 100% ethyl alcohol was performed in 50 cancer patients who were inoperable and had intractable abdominal pain. Duration and degree of pain relief after the procedure and its complication were analyzed. RESULTS: Early pain relief was observed in 98% and long term relief in 68% without serious complication. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopy guided celiac ganglion block after marking of needle path with CT scan was a safe and valuable procedure in relieving intractable pain in terminal cancer patients and reduced the time in the CT room.