Ancillary findings in distinguishing between anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration and sprain on MRI: a practical approach.

Background: Imaging findings of both anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprain and mucoid degeneration overlap in some cases, which may cause errors in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation.

Purpose: To determine the ancillary findings on MRI in distinguishing between ACL sprain and mucoid degeneration, and also to obtain a diagnostic scheme.

Material And Methods: MRI scans of 77 patients with ACL mucoid degeneration and 77 cases with ACL sprain were retrospectively evaluated to compare with regard to parameters of age, sex, side, the status of posterior cruciate ligament - medial collateral ligament - lateral collateral ligament, bone marrow edema, intraosseous cyst, subchondral sclerosis, chondromalacia, meniscus tear, effusion, and osteochondral body.