In this case report, an incidental postoperative diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) calcification, associated with calcification of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and lateral meniscus insertions, was made using micro-computed tomography (μCT) technology in a knee specimen obtained during a total knee replacement (TKR) surgery due to painful tri-compartmental osteoarthritis (OA) with chondrocalcinosis signs at preoperative X-ray. Anterior cruciate ligament calcification is an uncommon finding, and conventional X-ray and MRI are not so helpful in its identification. μCT scan, in contrast, is of interest because it provides highly spatial three-dimensional information with excellent visualization of bones and calcifications. The μCT technology used in this case report allowed us to perform a detailed analysis and a 3-D reconstruction of the calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition about the knee without the need to section the specimens into slice as performed in previous studies. The 3-D model obtained with μCT scan permits to gain more insight into the shape of the calcification within the fibers of the ligamentous structures of the joint.
Keywords: Micro-CT (computed tomography); anterior cruciate ligament; calcification; chondrocalcinosis; knee; μCT and 3D reconstruction.
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