[The use of sonography in the diagnosis of fresh talofibular ligamentous lesions]. / Einsatz der Sonographie in der Diagnostik der frischen fibulo-talaren Bandläsion.

ABSTRACT

Sonography of the ankle joint is a simple method of exploring articular soft tissue. 100 patients with acute injury of the lateral ligaments were examined with a 7.5 MHz linear array transducer. Diagnostic criteria were haematoma and capsular deformation. Sonographic findings were assessed by stress films (n = 94), arthrography (n = 29) and operative evaluation (n = 28). In 94 of 100 joints, acute injury could be demonstrated with sonography. In most cases sonography was able to differentiate the site of the lesion anterior talofibular or fibulocalcaneal ligament. The positive predictive value in relation to the operative findings is 100% for talofibular ligament and 96% for fibulocalcaneal ligament.