title: Magnetic resonance imaging of the extensor mechanism.
abstract: Anterior knee pain is associated with many different causes. The clinical diagnosis may be unclear when the patient initially presents for evaluation. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a valuable modality with high diagnostic accuracy in the evaluation of extensor mechanism pathology, which commonly presents with anterior knee pain. The most common disorders include patellar fracture, patellofemoral tracking abnormalities, tendon trauma and degeneration. These injuries manifest with characteristic patterns on MR imaging. This article discusses normal anatomy, common injuries, and diagnostic pitfalls on MR imaging.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: cyablon@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Corrie M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yablon
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Deepa
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Jon A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jacobson
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D012421:Rupture / Q000473:pathology; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Extensor mechanism; Magnetic resonance imaging; Patellar tendon; Patellofemoral instability; Quadriceps