Korean Journal of Radiology

The Korean Society of Radiology (대한영상의학회)
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Interposition of the Posterior Cruciate Ligament into the Medial Compartment of the Knee Joint on Coronal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

  • Kim, Hyun Su (Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Yoon, Young Cheol (Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Park, Ki Jeong (Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Wang, Joon Ho (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) ;
  • Choe, Bong-Keun (Department of Preventive Medicine, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2015.08.27
  • Accepted : 2016.01.04
  • Published : 2016.04.01
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Abstract

Objective: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the overall prevalence and clinical significance of interposition of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) into the medial compartment of the knee joint in coronal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 317 consecutive patients referred for knee MRI at our institution between October 2009 and December 2009. Interposition of the PCL into the medial compartment of the knee joint on proton coronal MRI was evaluated dichotomously (i.e., present or absent). We analyzed the interposition according to its prevalence as well as its relationship with right-left sidedness, gender, age, and disease categories (osteoarthritis, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and medial meniscus tear). Results: Prevalence of interposition of PCL into the medial compartment of the knee joint was 47.0% (149/317). There was no right (50.0%, 83/166) to left (43.7%, 66/151) or male (50.3%, 87/173) to female (43.1%, 62/144) differences in the prevalence. There was no significant association between the prevalence and age, or the disease categories. Conclusion: Interposition of the PCL into the medial compartment of the knee joint is observed in almost half of patients on proton coronal MRI of the knee. Its presence is not associated with any particular factors including knee pathology and may be regarded as a normal MR finding.

Keywords

References

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