Case 14 - 32 year old male with sudden knee pain and swelling while playing soccer; heard "pop"
32 year old male with right knee injury during a soccer game; the patient heard a "pop."
- The patient has a moderate joint effusion with synovitis.
- The patient also has areas of focal marrow edema in the posterolateral tibial plateau and the subchondral lateral femoral condyle. Given the history of an acute injury and the absence of a discrete T1 hypointense fracture, these represent areas of contusion. This particular pattern is often seen in the setting of ACL injuries and is termed "kissing contusions." One can image the tibia being anteriorly displaced allowing the two areas to touch or kiss; the ACL protects against this type of force.
- On close inspection, we see a complete tear of the ACL; the ligament has been completely torn near the femoral insertion and the remaining ligament is bunched up near the tibial spines.
- This patient has an acute tear of the ACL with kissing contusions.
Accession: CL0085
Study description: MR Knee Right