Importance of routine T2-weighted or T2*-weighted coronal images in magnetic resonance imaging of the knee.

Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee is most commonly performed with T1-weighting in the coronal plane. This type of imaging is insensitive to meniscocapsular separation and tears of the medial collateral ligament. T2-weighted and T2*-weighted coronal imaging is sensitive to these abnormalities and should be a part of the routine protocol for imaging the knee.