Magnetic resonance and cadaveric findings of the incidence of plantaris tendon.
A retrospective review of 63 Magnetic Resonance Image studies (yielding 86 ankles) was conducted to find the incidence of the plantaris tendon. Radiographically, the plantaris tendon was visualized 62.8% of the time. Surgical confirmation of this tendon during 18 achilles surgeries yielded 13 "true positives" and 4 "true negatives". Sensitivity was 92.8%; specificity and positive predictive value was 100%, respectively. As a comparison, forty cadaveric specimens were evaluated as well, with the incidence of the plantaris found to be 97.5%. These findings may be useful when considering MRIs as a screening tool for the presence of plantaris tendon. When axial images were 4 mm or less, the plantaris tendon was more easily visualized. A Chi-squared test examining for differences of axial sections greater than 4 mm was not significant. (P=0.2). This is important if one is to use MRI to screen for the plantaris (for graft purposes).
Saxena
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Department of Sports Medicine, Palo Alto Medical Foundation, CA 94301, USA. HeySax@aol.com
Bareither
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D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000601:surgery; D000842:Ankle; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D009139:Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013710:Tendons / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology*