Visualization of ankle tendons and ligaments with MR imaging: influence of passive positioning.

Abstract

To determine if passive positioning of the ankle influences the MR imaging appearance of ankle tendons and ligaments. A positioning device was used during imaging of 10 volunteers. Axial and coronal T1-weighted images were acquired in six positions of the ankle, and the appearance of the tendons and lateral ligaments was subjectively evaluated. The peroneus longus (PL), peroneus brevis (PB), anterior tibialis (AT), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), and extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendons were best visualized in 20 degrees of plantarflexion and 20 degrees of inversion (p < 0.0001). The anterior talofibular (ATF) and calcaneofibular (CF) ligaments were best seen in 20 degrees of plantarflexion (p < 0.0001). Ten degrees of dorsiflexion was the least useful imaging plane for all of the aforementioned structures. When there is clinical concern regarding pathology of a specific structure about the ankle, passive positioning may allow optimal evaluation.