Comparison of conventional spin-echo and fast spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging with fat suppression [correction for suppresion] in cruciate ligament injury.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the quality and diagnostic reliability of conventional spin-echo and fast spin-echo with fat suppression magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of cruciate ligament injury.


METHODS
Thirty-five patients with internal knee injury and positive clinical signs of cruciate ligament injury were examined by using an Elscint Prestige 2T MR scanner. Findings of conventional and fast spin-echo with fat suppression MR sequences were evaluated and compared with each other and with arthroscopic findings. In all patients, arthroscopy was performed within 2 months after the MR examination.


RESULTS
Analysis of anterior cruciate ligament injury with conventional spin-echo sequence showed 81.8% sensitivity. The sensitivity of fast spin-echo sequences with fat suppression was 96.9%. According to the type of the anterior cruciate ligament injury, the sensitivity of fast spin-echo sequences with fat suppression was higher than that of conventional spin-echo sequence (85.7% and 66.7%, respectively) for partial rupture, but the sensitivity of both sequences for complete rupture was the same (100% both).


CONCLUSIONS
Fast spin-echo with fat suppression sequence can be used routinely in clinical practice for the assessment of acutely injured knees as the substitute for conventional spin-echo sequence without decreased diagnostic reliability.
Borić
Igor
I
Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children's Hospital Zagreb, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia. igor.boric1@zg.htnet.hr
Pecina
Marko
M
Bojanić
Ivan
I
Haspl
Miroslav
M
Roić
Goran
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000293:injuries*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity