THE ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE EVALUATION OF TRAUMATIC INJURIES OF ANKLE JOINT

Abstract

Background: Because of its wide array of advantages, MRI has gained popularity in evaluation of the musculoskeletal system. The advantages include non-invasiveness, lack of ionizing radiations, superior soft-tissue imaging and direct multiplanar imaging. Excellent visualization of cartilage, ligaments, tendons and bones can be achieved by the high resolution images of MRI. MRI can provide a comprehensive evaluation of ankle, including soft tissue and bone pathology. The soft tissue contrast resolution of MRI is superior to that of CT, and MRI is as good as or better than CT for most bone pathology. MRI is more sensitive than CT in the detection of stress fractures and trabecular bone injury.[4] Aim & Objective: 1.To study the normal anatomy of ankle joint on MRI.2 To assess acute traumatic injury patterns of ankle joint.3.To study the role of MRI in the evaluation of traumatic injuries of ankle joint..4 To study the chronic sequelae of ankle injuries. Methods: Study setting: Cross sectional study Tertiary care center. Study duration: 2 years ( from October 2019 to March 2021). Study population: The study population included all the cases with traumatic ankle injury referred to the Dept. of Radiodiagnosis our institute for MRI scan with or without X-ray ndings admitted at a tertiary care center such cases were included in the study. 50 Majority of cases found in 20-30 years age group 18( 36% Sample size: Results: ) followed by 40-50 group 12 cases (24%), 9 cases in 30-40, 7 cases in >50 and 4 cases in 10-20. Males contributing 34 (68%) and females 16 (32%). Deltoid ligament injuries are observed in 12 patients. However, isolated injuries are not seen. Deltoid ligament injuries are associated with bone, other ligamentous and tendon injuries. Anterior compartment tendon injuries were not observed in this study. 16 patients had a history of acute inversion injury. MRI plays an important role Conclusions: for planning further management and to decide whether the patient will require conservative or surgical management. Even though anatomical variants and technical artefacts can mimic a tear on MRI, it is still considered the primary imaging modality for optimal depiction of internal derangement in ankle injury. Common injuries observed in our study are - anterior talo- bular ligament injury, deltoid ligament injury, tenosynovitis, bone contusions and joint effusion.