Radiographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Segond Fracture in the Knee Joint

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Patients with Segond fracture have a high probability of anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injury. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the site and shape of fragment of Segond fracture on plain radiograph and to analyze associated intraarticular injuries of knee joint on Magnetic Resonance(MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July. 1994 to June 2002, 10 Segond fractures were reviewed retrospectively on plain radiograph and MR imaging. We confirmed by arthroscopic findings that ligamentous injuries and meniscal injuries were associated in all of the 10 cases. RESULTS: The radiographic findings of Segond fractures were as follows the elliplical shape was 8 case, the average size 7.2 mm x 2.5 mm (length x width), the location average 4.3mm below tibial articular surface and the displacement average 2.0 mm from original site. Of the 10 patients, 9 (90%) had anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), 2 posterior cruciate ligament, 2 lateral collateral ligament and 4 medial collateral ligament injury. Meniscal injury was also diagnosed in 6. CONCLUSION: In plain radiograph of patients with acute traumatic knee injury, the caution is needed to examine Segond fracture. MR imaging is an useful study because anterior cruciating ligament disruption is often associated with Segond fracure.