Abstract :
Background: Anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) injuries are common in adolescent age group because of the high outdoor
activities. These ligamentous tears of knee are always associated with other injuries. We had demonstrated the spectrum
of various injuries which we come across in pediatric adolescent group. There are various knee injuries as that of menisci
and bone marrow oedema which are not picked up by routine radiography. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) MRI plays a
very vital role in elaboration of this spectrum. Methods: Five male patients of the age group 13-18 years (mean age 15
years) who had suffered trauma of knee region by various means underwent MRI investigations and were studied with
different spectrum of ACL tears along with associated manifestations. The range of focal injury could involve ACL itself,
meniscofemoral attachment or medial collateral ligaments. In addition the bony avulsion fractures are common because of
immature pediatric skeleton. The study plays a great role in the management as per the description of the specific injury.
The patients having any history of previous injury or ailment of the knee were not included in the study. Results: Majority of
the patients were in pediatric adolescent group (mean age 15 years) .Left knee was injured in 60% and right knee in 40%
of the cases. Meniscal tear were involved in 20% and 40% among those were having bony injury which was picked up
only in MRI study while plain skiagram was normal. Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) was involved in 40% of cases.
Conclusion: ACL tears with associated injuries are having different spectrum in pediatric and adolescent group of children
and should not be either diagnosed or treated on the lines of adult cases.MRI evaluation plays a crucial role for the
description of such traumatic injuries because of epiphyseal non union.
Keyword :
Anterior cruciate ligament, Adolescent, Ligamentous tear, Knee, Menisci, MRI.