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Case Reports
. 2017 Nov-Dec;7(6):76-79.
doi: 10.13107/jocr.2250-0685.958.

Double Posterior Cruciate Ligament Sign on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Imaging Variants, Mimics, and Clinical Implications

Raju Vaishya  1 , Vipul Vijay  1 , Abhishek Vaish  1 , Amit K Agarwal  1 , Nitin P Ghonge  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Double Posterior Cruciate Ligament Sign on Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Imaging Variants, Mimics, and Clinical Implications

Raju Vaishya et al. J Orthop Case Rep. 2017 Nov-Dec.

Abstract

Introduction: Double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sign is a sign on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which is suggestive of a bucket- handle tear (BHT) of the meniscus. We undertook this study to assess the presence of a double PCL sign and its correlation with arthroscopic findings. We also discussed the various mimics and variants of the double PCL sign.

Case report: All the patients with a double PCL sign on the MRI and who underwent knee arthroscopy between January 2012 and December 2016 (total of 5 cases, 4 males and one female) were included in the study. A correlation between the imaging findings and the MRI findings was done. All these young patients were aged between 22 and 41 years. Two patients underwent arthroscopic partial meniscectomy, and three patients underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair using all inside technique.

Conclusion: It is necessary for the sports physician to understand and recognize this important and subtle sign on MRI which is suggestive of a BHT of the meniscus. It is also important to identify the mimics of this sign and its variants for better management planning and patient prognostication.

Keywords: Meniscus; bucket-handle tear; cruciate ligaments; knee; magnetic resonance imaging; meniscectomy; repair.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sagittal T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging image of the knee, with two arrows showing a “double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)”. Sign normal PCL - white arrow, displaced bucket-handle tear anteroinferior to PCL - yellow arrow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Arthroscopic view of a displaced bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus in the intercondylar notch with an intact anterior cruciate ligament.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diagrammatic representation of the double posterior cruciate ligament sign and its variants
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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