Imaging ACL reconstructions and their complications

P Kulczycka; A Larbi; J Malghem; E Thienpont; B Vande Berg; F Lecouvet

doi:10.1016/j.diii.2014.04.007

Imaging ACL reconstructions and their complications

Diagn Interv Imaging. 2015 Jan;96(1):11-9. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2014.04.007. Epub 2014 Jun 6.

Authors

P Kulczycka¹, A Larbi¹, J Malghem¹, E Thienpont¹, B Vande Berg¹, F Lecouvet²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, institut de recherche expérimentale et clinique (IREC), cliniques universitaires Saint Luc, université catholique de Louvain, avenue Hippocrate, 10/2942, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
² Department of Radiology, institut de recherche expérimentale et clinique (IREC), cliniques universitaires Saint Luc, université catholique de Louvain, avenue Hippocrate, 10/2942, 1200 Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: frederic.lecouvet@uclouvain.be.

PMID: 24910463
DOI: 10.1016/j.diii.2014.04.007

Abstract

Examination of ligament reconstructions, particularly of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), are common situations in everyday knee imaging practice. Knowledge of normal appearances, the expected changes over time and the potential complications of these plasties are essential. MRI is the imaging method of choice. This article illustrates the main complications specific to this procedure: suboptimal positioning of the femoral or tibial tunnels, impingement between the graft and bony contours, rupture (partial or complete) of the plasty due to friction or injury, arthrofibrosis and particularly the "Cyclops" syndrome, fragmentation or migration of the fixation materials and a granulomatous reaction to biomaterials.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Complications; Knee; MRI; Surgery.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Anterior Cruciate Ligament / pathology*
Anterior Cruciate Ligament / surgery*
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / adverse effects*
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
Postoperative Complications / diagnosis