Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of the dual-energy technique with dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) for anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Methods: The clinical data of 8 patients with arthroscopic results were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent two- and three-dimensional imaging by multiplanar reconstruction, volume rendering, and tendon mode on DSCT. Dual-energy characteristics were compared with arthroscopic results.
Results: Six patients who were arthroscopically diagnosed as anterior cruciate ligament injuries, all of them were also correctly diagnosed by DSCT. Two patients who were arthroscopically diagnosed as normal, one was also diagnosed as normal by DSCT and the other was misdiagnosed. The overall agreement rate was 87.5% (7/8) . Under the dual energy tendon mode, the dual energy staining of the injured anterior cruciate ligament was lower than that of the contralateral normal cruciate ligament of the patient.
Conclusion: The staining diminution in DSCT imaging may be a new feature that can be used to effectively diagnose anterior cruciate ligament injury.