Usefulness of oblique axial scan in magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of anterior talofibular ligament in ankle sprain

Diagnostic value of ultrasonography for injury of anterior talofibular ligament and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament distal fascicle in patients with ankle fractures

OBJECTIVES

To explore the diagnostic value of ultrasonography for injuries of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament distal fascicle (ATiFL-DF) in patients with ankle fractures.

METHODS

Clinical data of 51 patients with ankle fractures who were clinically suspected of ligament injuries and underwent ankle ultrasonography examination and arthroscopy in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from April 2019 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Using arthroscopic results as the gold standard, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of ultrasonography in diagnosing ATFL and ATiFL-DF injuries were evaluated, and Kappa consistency test was performed.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in diagnosis of ATFL injury were 100.0% and 92.3%, with the PPV of 92.6% and NPV of 100.0%. Ultrasonography findings exhibited excellent concordance with arthroscopic results (kappa=0.849). The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in diagnosis of ATiFL-DF injury was 86.7% and 33.3%, with the PPV of 90.7% and NPV of 25.0%. However, the consistency between ultrasonography and arthroscopic results was poor (kappa=0.168).

CONCLUSIONS

Ultrasonography is reliable in assessing injuries of ATFL in patients with ankle fractures, but its specificity in diagnosing ATiFL-DF is poor. Therefore, ankle arthroscopy remains necessary for ankle fracture patients with negative findings of ATiFL-DF in ultrasonography.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics of a Lateral Ligament Injury in Acute Ankle Sprains Among Athletes

Background

It is important to identify the location and pattern of lateral ligament injuries that are related to the development and prognosis of chronic ankle instability in athletes with ankle sprains.

Purpose

To describe the location and pattern of lateral ligament injuries on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in elite-level or amateur athletes with acute ankle sprains and to further assess the risk of associated concomitant injuries.

Study Design

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

The anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) of 110 athletes with an ankle lateral ligament injury (mean age, 24.7 years) were evaluated. MRI scans were evaluated for the location and pattern of ATFL and CFL tears such as sleeve avulsions as well as concomitant deltoid ligament injuries, bone contusions, and osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs).

Results

On MRI, 52 (47.3%) athletes had an isolated ATFL tear, 56 (50.9%) athletes had both ATFL and CFL tears, and 2 (1.8%) athletes had an isolated CFL tear. ATFL injuries occurred at the fibula, midsubstance, and talus in approximately equal numbers, whereas the majority of CFL injuries occurred at the calcaneal insertion. Concomitant deltoid ligament injuries were identified in 18 (16.4%) athletes. In addition, concomitant bone contusions and OLTs were identified in 38 (34.5%) and 6 (5.5%) athletes, respectively. Using linear-by-linear analysis, CFL injuries correlated with concomitant deltoid ligament and bone injuries (P = .023 and P = .001, respectively) and a sleeve injury pattern (P = .005).

Conclusion

After an acute ankle ligament rupture, almost all athletes involved in this study had injured their ATFL, and approximately 50% had a concomitant injury to the CFL. The rate of sleeve-type CFL injuries at the calcaneal insertion was high, and concomitant deltoid ligament injuries and OLTs were associated with this pattern of injury.

The anterior talofibular ligament: A thin-slice three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to provide an accurate and improved understanding of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) anatomy, and to determine the exact positioning and diameter of the bony tunnel during ATFL repair and/or reconstruction surgery.

METHOD

A total of 58 healthy asymptomatic volunteers were examined, wherein 38 underwent bilateral ankle 3D MRI, and 20 underwent unilateral ankle 3D MRI (10 left and 10 right ankles). Data from a total of 96 MRI datasets were collected. The MRI data from these cases were exported into Mimics to enable reconstruction of 3D ATFL models. The resulting image quality was evaluated using a 5-point subjective scoring system. In addition, the length, width, thickness, and positioning of each ATFL and the area of the ATFL footprints were identified within the 3D model using Mimics and SolidWorks.

RESULTS

The image quality score was 4.48 ± 0.50. The ATFL formed one (65.6%), two (31.3%), or three (3.1%) bundles forms. The footprint area was 31.25 ± 6.29 mm² on the fibular side, and 17.48 ± 4.49 mm² on the talar side.

CONCLUSION

Thin-slice 3D MRI aids in the reconstruction of the 3D ATFL model, and it provides reference for the accurate anatomy of the area and location of the ATFL. This technology will facilitate diagnosis of ATFL injuries and choice of surgical methods.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

level IV.

Impact of the T2-weighted axial oblique MRI sequence in the assessment of peroneal tendons

AIM

To define the role of the T2-weighted axial oblique sequence for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of peroneal tendon pathologies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two radiologists interpreted 180 ankle MRI examinations using standard sequences alone and then in combination with an axial oblique sequence. The readers indicated how likely a peroneal pathology was present using a five-level confidence scale. Diagnostic confidence, interobserver agreement, and clinical correlation were compared. Changes in diagnosis were recorded.

RESULTS

For both readers, the diagnostic confidence was significantly higher using the axial oblique sequence for tendinosis and inframalleolar tenosynovitis for both tendons and for peroneus brevis partial and longitudinal split tears (p<0.001). For reader 1, the diagnostic confidence was also higher using the axial oblique sequence for peroneus longus partial tears (p=0.007). Changes in diagnosis were seen for tendinosis and tenosynovitis of both tendons and for peroneus brevis partial and longitudinal split tears in 0.6-10.8% of cases. Inter-rater reliability was significantly higher with the axial oblique sequence for the diagnosis of tendinosis, inframalleolar tenosynovitis, and partial tear for both tendons, and for peroneus brevis longitudinal split tear. Amongst 105 examinations with clinical information, peroneal pathologies were most frequently diagnosed as present in cases with lateral symptoms (17% versus 14%) and absent in cases without lateral symptoms (92% versus 86%) on the axial oblique sequence.

CONCLUSION

The axial oblique sequence for the assessment of peroneal tendons allows for higher diagnostic confidence, inter-rater reliability, and clinical correlation and can lead to changes in diagnosis.

Evaluation of the anterior inferior tibiofibular and anterior talofibular ligaments using 2D oblique coronal imaging and 3D isotropic resolution T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequences at 3.0 T: Is there additional diagnostic value?

INTRODUCTION

To compare diagnostic performance of additional two-dimensional (2D) oblique coronal view and three-dimensional (3D) T2-weighted fast spin-echo(FSE) images for diagnosing injury of the anterior inferior tibiofibular (AiTFL) and anterior talofibular ligaments (ATFL).

METHODS

This study included 48 patients with ankle sprain who had undergone MRI using standard protocol and two additional sequences with 2D oblique coronal and 3D isotropic images, followed by arthroscopic surgery. Ligament injuries was subdivided by intact tendon, partial or complete tear. Retrospectively, two musculoskeletal radiologists respectively reviewed three image sets of MR including 2D axial image only (set 1), 2D axial and oblique coronal images (set 2), and 2D axial with 3D-isotropic images (set 3). Using arthroscopic findings as reference standard, diagnostic performances of both methods were analysed by the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

Arthroscopy confirmed 13 AiTFL and 41 ATFL injuries. For AiTFL, when set 1 and set 3 were compared, AUC value was significantly higher for set 3 (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between AUC values for set 2 and set 3 sequences by either reader for either type of tear (P > 0.05). For ATFL, both readers found there was no significant difference in AUC values between set 1 and set 3 and between set 2 and set 3.

CONCLUSION

Additional oblique coronal sequence demonstrated better diagnostic performance for AiTFL injury than conventional and isotropic imaging did. This sequence showed as much diagnostic accuracy as isotropic sequence for evaluation of ATFL injury.

Evaluating and Differentiating Ankle Instability

Given the prevalence of lateral ankle sprains during physical activity and the high rate of reinjury and chronic ankle instability, clinicians should be cognizant of the need to expand the evaluation of ankle instability beyond the acute time point. Physical assessments of the injured ankle should be similar, regardless of whether this is the initial lateral ankle sprain or the patient has experienced multiple sprains. To this point, a thorough injury history of the affected ankle provides important information during the clinical examination. The physical examination should assess the talocrural and subtalar joints, and clinicians should be aware of efficacious diagnostic tools that provide information about the status of injured structures. As patients progress into the subacute and return-to-activity phases after injury, comprehensive assessments of lateral ankle-complex instability will identify any disease and patient-oriented outcome deficits that resemble chronic ankle instability, which should be addressed with appropriate interventions to minimize the risk of developing long-term, recurrent ankle instability.

Reliability and validity of different ankle MRI scanning planes for the anterior talofibular ligament injury diagnosis: a cadaveric study

Background

The objective of the current study is to compare reliability, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) among the routine axial scanning plane, oblique axial-coronal scanning plane, and oblique axial-sagittal scanning plane.

Methods

Twenty cadaveric feet were studied. ATFL was exposed before scanning. Routine axial, oblique axial-coronal, and oblique axial-sagittal MRI scanning of 20 ATFL-intact cadaveric feet were acquired utilizing a 1.5-T MRI unit. The scans were repeated on the 20 cadaveric feet after the ATFL was artificially injured. In total, 120 sets of MR images were obtained and were randomly numbered. Three independent observers who were blinded to the experiment evaluated the images. Interobserver agreement, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were calculated and compared between different scanning planes utilizing the McNemar test.

Results

The interobserver agreement was fair to good (kappa, 0.55 to 0.65) in the routine axial plane, fair to good (kappa, 0.557 to 0.75) in the oblique axial-sagittal plane, and excellent (kappa, 0.85 to 0.95) in the oblique axial-coronal plane. The accuracy was significantly higher when utilizing oblique axial-coronal MRI scanning than routine axial MRI scanning (reader 1: p = .018; reader 2: p = .005).

Conclusions

The diagnostic accuracy of oblique axial-coronal plane MRI was higher than the routine axial plane concerning ATFL injury, and the interobserver agreement was excellent. The oblique axial-coronal plane could be added to the MRI scanning protocol during clinical practices to improve the diagnostic accuracy of ATFL injury.

Concomitant Syndesmotic Instability and Medial Ankle Instability Are Risk Factors for Unsatisfactory Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability

PURPOSE

To determine whether concomitant chronic syndesmotic injury or chronic medial ankle instability is associated with unsatisfactory outcomes in patients with chronic lateral ankle instability (CAI).

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from 276 male military patients with CAI who had undergone a modified Broström procedure between May 2007 and March 2010 and had been followed up for a mean of 26.7 months (range, 22 to 41 months). We evaluated clinical outcomes using American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot, visual analog scale, and ankle functional satisfactory scale scores. Possible associations with concomitant instability were reconstructed and investigated using the Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 236 patients with satisfactory outcomes, 19 (8%) had medial ankle instability and 13 (6%) had syndesmotic instability; in contrast, of the 40 patients with unsatisfactory outcomes, 14 (35%) had medial ankle instability and 12 (30%) had syndesmotic instability. The mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society scores for patients with satisfactory and unsatisfactory outcomes increased from 68.1 to 92.8 (P < .001) and from 65.9 to 76.8 (P < .001), respectively. The mean visual analog scale scores for the groups with satisfactory and unsatisfactory outcomes decreased from 5.8 to 2.1 (P < .001) and from 6.2 to 4.8 (P < .001), respectively. The mean ankle satisfaction score was 27.8 for patients with satisfactory outcomes and 18.7 for those with unsatisfactory outcomes (P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a 4-fold higher risk of dissatisfaction (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 20.07; P = .0880) with CAI and syndesmotic instability, a 3.8-fold higher risk (95% CI, 0.96 to 15.07; P = .0576) with CAI and medial ankle instability, and an 11.7-fold higher risk (95% CI, 2.60 to 52.70; P = .0014) with CAI and both syndesmotic and medial ankle instability.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic syndesmotic instability and chronic medial ankle instability are significantly associated with unsatisfactory outcomes in patients with CAI.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV, therapeutic case series.

Deltoid ligament in acute ankle injury: MR imaging analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify the pattern of deltoid ligament injury after acute ankle injury and the relationship between ankle fracture and deltoid ligament tear by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six patients (32 male, and 4 female; mean age, 29.8 years) with acute deltoid ligament injury who had undergone MRI participated in this study. The deltoid ligament was classified as having 3 superficial and 2 deep components. An image analysis included the integrity and tear site of the deltoid ligament, and other associated injuries. Association between ankle fracture and deltoid ligament tear was assessed using Fisher's exact test (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

Of the 36 patients, 21 (58.3 %) had tears in the superficial and deep deltoid ligaments, 6 (16.7 %) in the superficial ligaments only, and 4 (11.1 %) in the deep ligaments only. The most common tear site of the three components of the superficial deltoid and deep anterior tibiotalar ligaments was their proximal attachments (94 % and 91.7 % respectively), and that of the deep posterior tibiotalar ligament (pTTL) was its distal attachment (82.6 %). The common associated injuries were ankle fracture (63.9 %), syndesmosis tear (55.6 %), and lateral collateral ligament complex tear (44.4 %). All the components of the deltoid ligament were frequently torn in patients with ankle fractures (tibionavicular ligament, P = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

The observed injury pattern of the deltoid ligament was complex and frequently associated with concomitant ankle pathology. The most common tear site of the superficial deltoid ligament was the medial malleolar attachment, whereas that of the deep pTTL was near its medial talar insertion.