Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of lateral ankle ligaments and peroneal tendons in a group of asymptomatic patients

Background: The role of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with lateral ankle instability remains unclear. This study reports the MR findings in patients with asymptomatic ankles.Materials and Methods: A total of 14 ankles in 11 asymptomatic patients were evaluated using 3.0 Tesla MR scanners. Imaging planes included axial PD and T2 weighted sequences, coronal fatsaturated PD fast spin sequence, sagittal T1 weighted sequence, and sagittal STIR sequence. Two musculoskeletal radiologists reviewed all images to reach consensus about abnormal findings.Results: A total of 7/14 (50%) of subjects demonstrated abnormal anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL), 8/14 (57%) demonstrated abnormal calcaneofibular ligament (CFL), and 2/14 (14%) demonstrated abnormal posterior talofibular ligament (PTFL). In addition, 9/14 (64%) subjects were noted to have peroneal tendon pathology.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that MR abnormalities in the lateral ligament complex and peroneal tendons can frequently be present in asymptomatic subjects.