ENCORE Study radiology guide

140 patients. MRI knee at study entry then again at 9 months. Referred by Sports and Exercise Medicine Physician, Orthopaedic Surgeon or GPSI. ACC-funded.

Suggested key referral information:

ENCORE Study. URGENT <4 days. ?ACL tear.
www.freefromkneepain.org/acl/radiology
Urgent MSK reporting please. ACL-ARCH features.
Please incl. ACL double oblique sequence.
Also axial T1 block proximal thigh for muscle volume.
Copies to: encore.study@otago.ac.nz

MRI protocol:

Axial, sagittal and coronal PD & PDFS sequences (or similar depending on local preference).
ACL double oblique sequence: PDFS, tilt coronal plane parallel to Blumensaat's line (on sag) and perpendicular to lateral wall notch (on ax).

Axial T1 block:
proximal thigh, start 50mm below inferior margin lesser trochanter
5 x 10mm thick axial T1 slices.

MRI reporting:

Please report ACL-ARCH parameters - click to access pdf

Please measure and report CSA extensor muscles (single volume) on 3rd slice of 5.
  (use freehand ROI tool on InteleViewer or other PACS)

Usual MR knee report.