Impact of the T2-weighted axial oblique MRI sequence in the assessment of peroneal tendons

To define the role of the T2-weighted axial oblique sequence for the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessment of peroneal tendon pathologies. Two radiologists interpreted 180 ankle MRI examinations using standard sequences alone and then in combination with an axial oblique sequence. The readers indicated how likely a peroneal pathology was present using a five-level confidence scale. Diagnostic confidence, interobserver agreement, and clinical correlation were compared. Changes in diagnosis were recorded. For both readers, the diagnostic confidence was significantly higher using the axial oblique sequence for tendinosis and inframalleolar tenosynovitis for both tendons and for peroneus brevis partial and longitudinal split tears (p