Diagnosis: Pellegrini-Stieda Lesion on Knee X-Ray
Discussion:
- Pellegrini-Stieda lesions are named after 20th century Italian and German physician surgeons Augusto Pellegrini and Alfred Stieda
- PSLs are ossifications of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) specifically at or near the proximal insertion at the medial femoral condyle
- Pellegrini-Stieda Disease (or syndrome) is defined as the combination of the aforementioned radiographic findings and concomitant medial knee joint pain or restricted range of motion
- Radiographic diagnosis is typically made on radiographs as a longitudinally linear opacity, characteristic of calcification in the soft tissue located medial to the medial femoral condyle
- This serves as calcification of the MCL and typically occurs approximately 3 weeks after initial injury
- Essential to distinguish x-ray finding from that of a medial femoral condyle avulsion fracture
Credit: Case submitted by Dr. Ellie Goulding to radRounds Radiology Network
