Preliminary Diagnosis: Knee effusion I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Ultrasound (gray scale and color Doppler imaging) II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of knee effusion. Advantages Diagnostic Safe, cost-effective Fast and ready available Intraarticular fluid can be easily detected Can also evaluate for other associated findings,…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear (knee) I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? MRI, with no need for contrast II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of ACL tears. Advantages Diagnostic for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears Useful for categorization of the ACL tears according to severity (mild…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Meniscal Tears (Knee) I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee. Routine examinations do not need contrast. In the postoperative patient, the use of intraarticular contrast may help differentiate meniscal postoperative changes from re-tears. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Baker's cyst I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Ultrasound (gray scale and color Doppler imaging) II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of Baker's cyst. Advantages Diagnostic for baker’s cyst Safe, cost-effective, fast, and readily available method Can also evaluate for cyst complications (rupture, synovitis), as…
Preliminary Diagnosis: Morton's Neuroma I. What imaging technique is first-line for this diagnosis? Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the forefoot The use of IV contrast may be useful for differential diagnosis in select cases. II. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of this technique for diagnosis of Morton's neuroma. Advantages Often diagnostic for Morton’s neuroma (MN),…
