Abstract：Objective: To discuss the clinical value of MRI in tibial plateau fractures. Methods: Sixty-six patients of tibial plateau fractures associated with knee joint injuries were examined with MRI after X-ray plain film examination. Spin echo(SE) T1WI, fast spin echo(FSE) T2WI and short T1 inversion recovery(STIR) were acquired in knee joint of all patients. Each fracture was categorized according to the Schatzker classification. X-ray plain films were compared with MRI in diagnosing tibial plateau fractures. MRI appearances of injuried lesions of knee joints associated with fractures were assessed. Results: Sixty-six patients of tibial plateau fractures who had been diagnosed by X-ray film and 60 were found to have occult fracture. All of the 65 cases were found to have occult fracture by MRI. In our series, 7 cases(10.6%) of fractures were type I, 20 cases(30.3%) were type II, 6 cases(9.1%) were type III, 18 cases(27.3%) were type IV, 4 cases(6.1%) were type V, 10 cases(15.2%) were type VI. Within the 66 cases, it was found that in 57 cases there were meniscal injuries, 48 cases with ligamentous injuries, 58 cases with soft-tissue injuries, 34 cases with bone contusion, 61 cases with intra-articular effusion. Conclusion: MRI examination is a useful and comprehensive methods for evaluating tibial plateau fractures preoperatively.
2006, Vol. 17 
