Comparing MRI Diagnostic Accuracy for ACL and PCL Knee Injuries: Evidence from Arthroscopy-Confirmed Cases

Background: Injuries of knee joints are commonly occurred for different causes. Knee joint is one of the most important. Anterior (ACL) and posterior (PCL) crucial ligaments are prone to tear or sparing. MRI represents a golden imaging modality for assessment both chronic and acute pain causing disorders in the knee.

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of MRI in diagnosis of injuries in anterior and posterior crucial ligaments compared to arthroscopy.

Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Afak hospital in period from March 2022 to April 2023, included 40 patients who were visited the orthopedic clinic suffering from knee trauma and referred for knee MRI and then got arthroscopic examination.

Result: Patients’ age ranged 25-55 years with a mean of 31.3±5.9 years. Overall ACL injury reported in 69.6% of patients and PCL injuries in 4% posterior cruciate ligaments. Compared to arthroscopy, MRI was 91.4% sensitive and 81.3% specific with accuracy of 89.2% in diagnosis of overall ACL injuries. For PCL injuries , MRI was 18% sensitive and 100% specific with 27.4% accuracy.

Conclusion: MRI had a good benefit in assessment of knee derangement. MRI had different efficacy according to types of knee problems