[Arthrography of the ankle joint in injuries of the fibular ligament system in children and adolescents].

Arthrography of the ankle is an optimal diagnostic tool in children and adolescents facilitating differential diagnosis between a simple ankle sprain and rupture of the fibular ligaments. It can moreover help to differentiate between rupture of a single and of two ligaments. 35 young patients with surgically confirmed ligamentous rupture were evaluated according to conventional radiographic criteria, and part of them by arthrography. The technique of the latter and the quite frequent normal variants in arthrograms of the ankle in childhood are described. The comparison of the pathologic anatomy disclosed by surgery and the arthrogram reveals a very good correlation. Its main value resides in giving fair information in clinically and radiographically controversial cases.