Anterolateral ligament in pediatric knees A radiographic study

Background: The anterolateral ligament (ALL) is a true well-defined ligament in the knee first described in 1879 by Segond. After the work of Claes <em>et al</em>., several studies were conducted about biomechanics and its role in stability of the knee. The anatomical existence of the ALL has been studied by and various radiographic diagnostic modalities and in cadavers. It originates from lateral femoral epicondyle and is inserted between Gerdy’s tubercle and the fibular head. There has been controversy about the existence of ALL in pediatric patients. The aim of this work was to confirm the presence of ALL in pediatric patients by using MRI.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the knee MRI scans of 100 pediatric patients (ages between one and 12 yr) who had no knee injury or congenital deformity and had been evaluated by an expert radiologist.Results: The ALL was detected in 90% of the pediatric patients with the use of MRI.Conclusions: The main finding of this study was that ALL can be seen in pediatric patients using MRI. Despite numerous studies, additional research is needed to further define the role of the ALL in knee function.Level of Evidence: Level IV.背景：前外侧韧带（anterolateral ligament，ALL）是膝关节内界限清晰的真性韧带，最早于1879年由Segond首次描述。在Claes等人的研究之后，诸多学者围绕其生物力学特性及在膝关节稳定性中的作用开展了相关研究。此前已有研究通过多种放射影像学检查手段及尸体标本，对前外侧韧带的解剖学存在性进行了探讨。该韧带起自股骨外侧髁，止于杰尔迪结节（Gerdy’s tubercle）与腓骨头之间。此前针对儿童群体是否存在前外侧韧带一直存在学术争议。本研究旨在通过磁共振成像（MRI）确认儿童群体中前外侧韧带的存在性。 材料与方法：本研究回顾性分析了100例儿科患者的膝关节MRI扫描资料，患者年龄介于1至12岁，均无膝关节损伤或先天性畸形，且所有病例均经资深放射科医师评估。 结果：通过MRI检查，在90%的儿科患者中检测到了前外侧韧带。 结论：本研究的核心发现为，采用磁共振成像可在儿科患者体内观测到前外侧韧带。尽管已有大量相关研究，但仍需开展进一步研究以明确前外侧韧带在膝关节功能中的具体作用。 证据等级：IV级。