Role of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of the popliteus musclotendinous injuries as a part of the posterolateral corner injuries of the knee

Abstract

Introduction: The popliteus musclotendinous complex is considered to be one of the main stabilizers of the posterolateral corner of the knee having different attachments and variable sites of injuries, the use of MRI helps the radiologists to depict such injuries consistently.

Purpose of the study: To study the role of MRI in evaluating the popliteus musclotendinous injuries as a part of the PLCof the knee.

Patients and methods: Our study included 15 patients with trauma to the knee undergoing MRI using 1.5 T magnet using the following sequence: Axial, Coronal, sagittal proton density fat sat, T1, T2 and T2 gradient and conventional X-ray/CT [All patients did conventional X-ray Knee (AP and Lateral views), two patients did CT study of the knee].

Results: Out of 15 studied patients with PLC injuries, eight (53.33%) patients had popliteus complex injuries, 7 (87.5%) patients showed combined injuries with other posterolateral structures while one (12.5) patient had isolated popliteus musclotendinous complex injury.

Conclusion: MRI imaging is crucial in the evaluation of the different sites and patterns of injuries of the popliteus musclotendinous complex when suspecting PLC injury.

Keywords: Popliteus muscle, Popliteus tendon, Posterolateral corner, Popliteofibular ligament, MRI