HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Abstract Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by de Abreu, M. R. Articles by Resnick, D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by de Abreu, M. R. Articles by Resnick, D.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament Recess and Normal Posterior Capsular Insertional Anatomy: MR Imaging of Cadaveric Knees¹

¹ From the University of California San Diego, VA Health Care System, San Diego, Calif (M.R.d.A., H.J.K., J.C., D.T., C.B.C., D.R.); and Hospital Mãe de Deus, Rúa Pedro Chaves Barcelos 157, Apt 302, Porto Alegre–RS, Brazil 90450-010 (M.R.d.A., J.M.J.). From the 2003 RSNA Annual Meeting. Received July 13, 2004; revision requested September 16; revision received November 9; accepted November 12. Address correspondence to M.R.d.A. (e-mail: marcelorad{at}hotmail.com).

View larger version (106K): [in a new window]   Figure 1. Computer-aided drawing shows posterior view of right knee, communication of PCL recess (R) with medial femorotibial compartment posterior to PCL, and ligament of Wrisberg. LM = lateral meniscus, MM = medial meniscus.

View larger version (121K): [in a new window]   Figure 2a. (a) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine into cadaveric knee specimen shows the distance (line) between the joint capsule (large white arrowhead) insertion site in the femur (black arrowhead) and the femoral physeal scar (small white arrowheads). (b) Diagram superimposed on coronal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine shows the sagittal sections (vertical lines) used to measure capsular insertion. The central section (0) was the one on which the PCL was best depicted. Sections medial to the central section were numbered from 1 to 4, and those lateral to it, from –1 to –4.

View larger version (130K): [in a new window]   Figure 2b. (a) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine into cadaveric knee specimen shows the distance (line) between the joint capsule (large white arrowhead) insertion site in the femur (black arrowhead) and the femoral physeal scar (small white arrowheads). (b) Diagram superimposed on coronal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine shows the sagittal sections (vertical lines) used to measure capsular insertion. The central section (0) was the one on which the PCL was best depicted. Sections medial to the central section were numbered from 1 to 4, and those lateral to it, from –1 to –4.

View larger version (142K): [in a new window]   Figure 3a. (a) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained before the injection of contrast material in cadaveric knee specimen shows fat pad (F) but no recess behind the PCL. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of a large volume of gadopentetate dimeglumine shows PCL recess (R) and fat pad (arrowhead). (c) Photomicrograph of histologic section shows synovial membrane of PCL recess (arrow). (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, x200.) (d) Coronal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of a large volume of gadopentetate dimeglumine clearly depicts PCL recess, fat pad, and joint capsule (arrow).

View larger version (145K): [in a new window]   Figure 3b. (a) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained before the injection of contrast material in cadaveric knee specimen shows fat pad (F) but no recess behind the PCL. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of a large volume of gadopentetate dimeglumine shows PCL recess (R) and fat pad (arrowhead). (c) Photomicrograph of histologic section shows synovial membrane of PCL recess (arrow). (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, x200.) (d) Coronal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of a large volume of gadopentetate dimeglumine clearly depicts PCL recess, fat pad, and joint capsule (arrow).

View larger version (109K): [in a new window]   Figure 3c. (a) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained before the injection of contrast material in cadaveric knee specimen shows fat pad (F) but no recess behind the PCL. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of a large volume of gadopentetate dimeglumine shows PCL recess (R) and fat pad (arrowhead). (c) Photomicrograph of histologic section shows synovial membrane of PCL recess (arrow). (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, x200.) (d) Coronal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of a large volume of gadopentetate dimeglumine clearly depicts PCL recess, fat pad, and joint capsule (arrow).

View larger version (136K): [in a new window]   Figure 3d. (a) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained before the injection of contrast material in cadaveric knee specimen shows fat pad (F) but no recess behind the PCL. (b) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of a large volume of gadopentetate dimeglumine shows PCL recess (R) and fat pad (arrowhead). (c) Photomicrograph of histologic section shows synovial membrane of PCL recess (arrow). (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, x200.) (d) Coronal T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of a large volume of gadopentetate dimeglumine clearly depicts PCL recess, fat pad, and joint capsule (arrow).

View larger version (137K): [in a new window]   Figure 4a. Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR images (600/20) obtained after gadopentetate dimeglumine injection in cadaveric knee specimen (a) in neutral position and (b) at 30° of flexion. Comparison of a and b demonstrates expansion of the PCL recess (black arrowhead) and joint capsule (white arrowheads) during flexion.

View larger version (138K): [in a new window]   Figure 4b. Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR images (600/20) obtained after gadopentetate dimeglumine injection in cadaveric knee specimen (a) in neutral position and (b) at 30° of flexion. Comparison of a and b demonstrates expansion of the PCL recess (black arrowhead) and joint capsule (white arrowheads) during flexion.

View larger version (122K): [in a new window]   Figure 5a. (a–c) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR images (600/20) obtained after injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine in cadaveric knee specimen, in (a) medial and (b, c) lateral sections, show communication of PCL recess with medial compartment of knee. (d) Transverse T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) depicts communication of the PCL recess (R) with the medial femorotibial compartment via a constricted area (*).

View larger version (121K): [in a new window]   Figure 5b. (a–c) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR images (600/20) obtained after injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine in cadaveric knee specimen, in (a) medial and (b, c) lateral sections, show communication of PCL recess with medial compartment of knee. (d) Transverse T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) depicts communication of the PCL recess (R) with the medial femorotibial compartment via a constricted area (*).

View larger version (123K): [in a new window]   Figure 5c. (a–c) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR images (600/20) obtained after injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine in cadaveric knee specimen, in (a) medial and (b, c) lateral sections, show communication of PCL recess with medial compartment of knee. (d) Transverse T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) depicts communication of the PCL recess (R) with the medial femorotibial compartment via a constricted area (*).

View larger version (139K): [in a new window]   Figure 5d. (a–c) Sagittal T1-weighted SE MR images (600/20) obtained after injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine in cadaveric knee specimen, in (a) medial and (b, c) lateral sections, show communication of PCL recess with medial compartment of knee. (d) Transverse T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) depicts communication of the PCL recess (R) with the medial femorotibial compartment via a constricted area (*).

View larger version (175K): [in a new window]   Figure 6a. (a) Digital high-spatial-resolution photograph of sagittal anatomic slice obtained at level of PCL in cadaveric specimen shows the PCL recess (arrow) and its intimate relation to the ligament of Wrisberg (W); fat pads (F); and incomplete joint capsule (arrowheads). (b) Corresponding T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine, at same level as a. (c) Photomicrograph of corresponding histologic slice shows PCL recess synovial membrane (arrow) and its intimate relation to the ligament of Wrisberg. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, x100.)

View larger version (193K): [in a new window]   Figure 6b. (a) Digital high-spatial-resolution photograph of sagittal anatomic slice obtained at level of PCL in cadaveric specimen shows the PCL recess (arrow) and its intimate relation to the ligament of Wrisberg (W); fat pads (F); and incomplete joint capsule (arrowheads). (b) Corresponding T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine, at same level as a. (c) Photomicrograph of corresponding histologic slice shows PCL recess synovial membrane (arrow) and its intimate relation to the ligament of Wrisberg. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, x100.)

View larger version (132K): [in a new window]   Figure 6c. (a) Digital high-spatial-resolution photograph of sagittal anatomic slice obtained at level of PCL in cadaveric specimen shows the PCL recess (arrow) and its intimate relation to the ligament of Wrisberg (W); fat pads (F); and incomplete joint capsule (arrowheads). (b) Corresponding T1-weighted SE MR image (600/20) obtained after intraarticular injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine, at same level as a. (c) Photomicrograph of corresponding histologic slice shows PCL recess synovial membrane (arrow) and its intimate relation to the ligament of Wrisberg. (Hematoxylin-eosin stain; original magnification, x100.)