Altered signal intensity in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus: an MR finding of questionable significance.
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg
; 125(4): 267-71, 2005 May.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-15875232
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
MR imaging has emerged as an important modality in the non-invasive evaluation of osseous and soft-tissue structures in the post-traumatic knee. However, it is sometimes impossible to determine with confidence if a focus of high signal intensity in the meniscus is confined to the substance of the meniscus or if it extends to involve the joint surface. This is a critical differentiation because the latter represents meniscal tears that can be found and treated arthroscopically, whereas the former represents degeneration, intrasubstance tears or perhaps normal variants that are not amenable to arthroscopic intervention. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of such borderline findings in relation to the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and to correlate the arthroscopic results. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Sixty-four patients with suspected post-traumatic internal derangements of the knee who underwent MR imaging prior to arthroscopy were evaluated retrospectively. There were 48 men and 16 women. Their mean age was 28.2 years.RESULTS:
Tears of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus were diagnosed unequivocally (grade 3 signal) in 18 patients and equivocally (grade 2/3 signal) in 10 patients. Arthroscopic correlation revealed 16 tears (89%) in the unequivocal group and only 1 tear (10%) in the equivocal group.CONCLUSION:
A meniscal tear is unlikely when MR shows a focus of high signal intensity in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus that does not unequivocally extend to involve the inferior or superior joint surface. An appropriate trial of conservative treatment is recommended in such questionable cases. MR is a useful diagnostic tool-however, it should be used selectively, and in conjunction with history and clinical examination in evaluating internal derangements of the knee.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Meniscos Tibiais
/
Imageamento por Ressonância Magnética
/
Lesões do Menisco Tibial
/
Traumatismos do Joelho
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg
Ano de publicação:
2005
Tipo de documento:
Article