Anterior cruciate ligament tears and associated meniscal lesions: assessment at dual-detector spiral CT arthrography.

PURPOSE: To assess dual-detector spiral computed tomographic (CT) arthrography of the knee in the evaluation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears and associated meniscal lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: ACL and meniscal abnormalities in 125 consecutive patients who underwent dual-detector spiral CT arthrography of the knee were evaluated on the basis of both initial interpretations and retrospective review of CT images and were compared with arthroscopic findings. The sensitivity and specificity of CT arthrography for the detection of ACL tears and meniscal lesions in knees with abnormal ACLs were determined.

RESULTS: The sensitivities and specificities for the detection of ACL tears were 90% and 96%, respectively, at initial interpretation and 95% and 99%, respectively, at retrospective interpretation. The sensitivities and specificities for the detection of meniscal tears in knees with abnormal ACLs were 92% and 88%, respectively, at initial interpretation and 96% and 94%, respectively, at retrospective interpretation.

CONCLUSION: Dual-detector spiral CT arthrography of the knee is an accurate method for detecting ACL tears and associated meniscal lesions.