Meniscal bucket handle tears: a retrospective study of arthroscopy and the relation to MRI

In this study, we aim to evaluate the arthroscopic findings of meniscal bucket handle tears and to correlate them with the proposed MR imaging signs of meniscal bucket handle tears suggested in the literature. Thirty-six patients who had a diagnosis of bucket handle tear in arthroscopy, in either medial or lateral meniscus, were included in our study (32 males and 4 females). Meniscal tears were evaluated in arthroscopy according to Dandys classification. The MRIs were retrospectively analyzed regarding the following findings: absence of bow tie sign, presence of double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sign, double anterior horn sign, flipped meniscus sign, disproportional posterior horn sign, and fragment within the intercondylar region. Locked types I and II fragment of medial meniscus and half-length, whole-width and whole length–half-width fragment of lateral meniscus in arthroscopy were basically correlated with fragment within the intercondylar notch and absent bow tie signs in MRI. We did not find the double PCL sign in any of the patients with a lateral meniscal bucket handle tear. The most common signs in MR images of meniscal bucket handle tears were the fragment in the notch sign and the absent bow tie sign. They were observed with equal frequency of 88.8%. The presence of double PCL sign, double anterior horn sign, flipped meniscus sign, disproportional posterior horn sign were less common (41.66, 33, 25, and 27.7%, respectively). We conclude that the presence of at least two of the six MRI signs should be regarded as highly suggestive for bucket handle tears of menisci.     

MR imaging of meniscal bucket-handle tears: a review of signs and their relation to arthroscopic classification

Our objective was to review the MR imaging signs of meniscal bucket-handle tears and assess the relevance of these signs to the arthroscopic classification of displaced meniscal tears. Forty-five menisci in 42 patients who had a diagnosis of bucket-handle tear either on MR imaging or on subsequent arthroscopy (in which Dandy's classification of meniscal tears was used) were retrospectively analyzed for MR imaging findings of double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), fragment within the intercondylar notch, absent bow tie, flipped meniscus, double-anterior horn, and disproportional posterior horn signs. Arthroscopy, which was considered as the gold standard, revealed 41 bucket-handle tears (either diagnosed or not diagnosed by MR imaging) in 38 patients (33 males, 5 females). There was a stastistically significant male preponderance for the occurrence of meniscal bucket-handle tears. Overall, sensitivity and positive predictive value of MR imaging for the detection of meniscal bucket-handle tears were calculated as 90%. Common MR imaging signs of meniscal bucket-handle tears in arthroscopically proven cases of such tears were the fragment in the notch and absent bow tie signs (98% frequency for each). Double-PCL, flipped meniscus, double-anterior horn, and disproportional posterior horn signs, however, were less common (32, 29, 29, and 27%, respectively). An arthroscopically proven bucket-handle tear was found in all patients who displayed at least three of the six MR imaging signs of meniscal bucket-handle tears. The presence of three or more MR imaging signs of meniscal bucket-handle tears is highly suggestive of this condition. Electronic Publication     

Posterior double PCL sign: a case report of unusual MRI finding of bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus

Among the MRI signs of bucket-handle tears of medial meniscus, double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sign denotes a low signal band anterior and parallel to the PCL, which looks like another PCL in MR images. If the bucket-handle fragment subsequently tears at the anterior horn, the torn meniscal substance can be displaced to the posterosuperior region of the PCL, and looks like another PCL behind the original PCL. We propose the lesion be called the “posterior double PCL sign” in contrast to the ordinary double PCL sign. We present a case showing the posterior double PCL sign.     

Pitfalls and limitations of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in bucket-handle tears of knee menisci

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to assess the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis of bucket-handle tears of the knee menisci, determining the sensitivity and specificity of the imaging for each of the signs typical of these tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR examinations of 495 patients suffering from knee traumas were assessed retrospectively. Forty-eight patients had arthroscopically-proven bucket-handle tears of the meniscus. MR examinations were performed using a 0.5-T superconducting magnet, with T1-weighted spin-echo (SE) and gradient-echo (GE) T2*-weighted sequences. Imaging findings used for the diagnosis were: a) double posterior cruciate ligament sign; b) flipped meniscus sign; c) presence of a displaced fragment of the meniscus in the intercondylar notch, visible in coronal and axial images; d) truncated triangular shape of the peripheral non-displaced portion of the meniscus, visible in coronal images. RESULTS: A total of 43 out of 48 bucket-handle tears of the meniscus were correctly diagnosed at MR, thus overall MR accuracy was 98%. In 12 (28%) cases three signs were present simultaneously the double posterior cruciate ligament (sensitivity 28%, specificity 99%, accuracy 93%) + the displaced fragment in the intercondylar notch (sensitivity 69.8%, specificity 98.7%, accuracy 96.2%) + the truncated triangular shape of the peripheral portion of the meniscus (sensitivity 74.4%, specificity 98%, accuracy 96%). In 18 (42%) cases two signs were present together the displaced fragment of the meniscus + the truncated triangular shape of the peripheral portion of the meniscus. In 13 (30%) cases only one sign was presenting two cases the truncated triangular shape of the peripheral portion of the meniscus and in 11 cases the flipped meniscus sign (sensitivity 25.6%, specificity 93.4%, accuracy 87.5%). No statistically significant differences were found comparing the results for tears of the medial meniscus with those for the lateral meniscus. CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging is highly accurate in diagnosing bucket-handle tears of the menisci due to its ability to identify a displaced fragment of the meniscus in the intercondylar notch or flipped over the anterior horn of the meniscus of origin. We speculate that bucket-handle tears not found by MR imaging are cases where the meniscus was displaced after MR examination.     

Bucket-handle meniscal tears of the knee: sensitivity and specificity of MRI signs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of reported MRI signs in the evaluation of bucket-handle tears of the knee. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: A retrospective analysis of 71 knee MR examinations that were read as displaying evidence of a bucket-handle or "bucket-handle type" tear was performed. We evaluated for the presence or absence of the absent bow tie sign, the coronal truncation sign, the double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sign, the anterior flipped fragment sign, and a fragment displaced into the intercondylar notch. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated relative to the gold standard of arthroscopy. RESULTS: Forty-three of 71 cases were surgically proven as bucket-handle tears. The absent bow tie sign demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.4%. The presence of at least one of the displaced fragment signs had a sensitivity of 90.7%. A finding of both the absent bow tie sign and one of the displaced fragment signs demonstrated a specificity of 85.7%. The double PCL sign demonstrated a specificity of 100%. The anterior flipped meniscus sign had a specificity of 89.7%. CONCLUSIONS: Bucket-handle tears of the menisci, reported in about 10% of most large series, have been described by several signs with MRI. This report gives the sensitivity and specificity of MRI for bucket-handle tears using each of these signs independently and in combination. MRI is shown to be very accurate for diagnosing bucket-handle tears when two or more of these signs coexist.     

Abnormal superior popliteomeniscal fascicle and posterior pericapsular edema: indirect MR imaging signs of a lateral meniscal tear

OBJECTIVE. Because MR diagnosis of lateral meniscal tears can be difficult, indirect signs may be useful when a tear is suspected. We studied whether an abnormality of the superior popliteomeniscal fascicle or pericapsular edema was associated with lateral meniscal tears and thus may be an indirect MR imaging sign of a lateral meniscal tear. MATERIALS AND METHODS. We identified 59 consecutive patients who underwent both knee MR imaging examinations and knee arthroscopy. Thirty patients had lateral meniscal tears, and 29 had intact lateral menisci. We reviewed paired sagittal proton density- and T2-weighted MR images from these 59 patients for abnormal superior popliteomeniscal fascicles and edema surrounding the posterolateral capsule. RESULTS. The superior popliteomeniscal fascicles were abnormal in nine of the 30 patients with torn lateral menisci but were normal in all 29 patients with intact menisci (p = 0.001). Abnormal fascicles were apparent only when the lateral meniscal tear involved the posterior horn. Posterior pericapsular edema was seen in 10 patients with a torn posterior horn and in one patient with an anterior horn tear of the lateral meniscus, but in only two patients with intact menisci (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION. The presence of superior popliteomeniscal fascicle abnormalities and of posterior pericapsular edema is significantly associated with a tear of the lateral meniscus, most commonly in the posterior horn. Noting the presence of these findings may help improve the accuracy of MR diagnosis of lateral meniscal tears.     

Meniscal tears with fragments displaced in notch and recesses of knee: MR imaging with arthroscopic comparison

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the depiction of meniscal tears with partially detached meniscal fragments displaced in the intercondylar notch or in the meniscal recesses of the knee. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional review board required neither its approval nor informed patient consent for the retrospective review of patient data; however, informed patient consent had been obtained before the MR imaging examinations were performed. The presence of meniscal tears with notch and recess fragments was determined at MR imaging and at subsequent arthroscopy in 101 consecutive knees to determine the value of MR imaging for the depiction of these lesions. Initial reports were reviewed to evaluate results of initial interpretations. MR images were retrospectively analyzed to determine the value of several MR image signs for the detection of displaced tears with notch or recess fragments. RESULTS: At arthroscopy, 37 (41%) of 91 torn menisci had partially detached fragments. Twenty-six torn menisci had notch fragments, and 14 had recess fragments; three torn menisci had one notch and one recess fragment each. At initial MR image analysis, 38 (36%) of 105 torn menisci had partially detached fragments. Twenty-eight torn menisci had notch fragments, and 13 had recess fragments; one torn meniscus had two recess fragments, and three torn menisci had one notch and one recess fragment each. At initial analysis, sensitivities and specificities were, respectively, 69% and 94% for detection of tears with notch fragments and 71% and 98% for detection of tears with recess fragments. At retrospective analysis of sagittal MR images, the presence of at least one sign indicative of meniscal tear with a notch fragment had sensitivities and specificities, respectively, of 65% and 78% for observer 1 and 77% and 73% for observer 2. The presence of at least one sign indicative of a meniscal tear with a recess fragment had sensitivities and specificities, respectively, of 64% and 77% for observer 1 and 64% and 76% for observer 2. CONCLUSION: Meniscal tears with notch and recess fragments are frequently seen at arthroscopy and can be depicted at knee MR imaging with moderate sensitivity and high specificity.     

MRI评价膝关节半月板的桶柄状撕裂

目的 明确5种MRI征象对膝关节半月板桶柄状撕裂的诊断价值。方法 回顾135例患者139个经关节镜证实的膝关节MR图像，其中19个存在半月板桶柄状撕裂。在均不告知关节镜结果的条件下，由2名有经验的放射医生对所有图像进行独立读片，差异协商解决。每个膝关节均记录如下5种MRI征象：双后交叉韧带征(双PCL征)、半月板翻转征、空领结征、碎块内移征和外周残半月板征。分别计算每种征象诊断半月板桶柄状撕裂的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值和准确度。结果 5种征象的诊断敏感度分布于52．6％和89．5％之间，特异度分布于83．3％和98．3％之间，阳性预测值分布于42．9％和88．2％之间，阴性预测值分布：于92．7％和98．3％之间，准确度分布于82．7％和96．4％之间。“碎块内移征”和“外周残半月板征”的诊断敏感度最高，“双PCL征”的诊断特异度和阳性预测值最高，而“碎块内移征”具有最高的阴性预测值和诊断准确度。结论 半月板桶柄状撕裂在MRI上可以有多种表现，各种征象对诊断的能力有所不同。     

MRI诊断膝关节半月板桶柄状撕裂

目的:总结分析半月板桶柄状撕裂的MRI征象和诊断价值.方法:回顾性分析146个经关节镜证实的膝关节MR图像,其中28个膝关节存在半月板桶柄状撕裂,记录如下5种MRI征象:碎块内移征、外周残半月板征、双PCL征、空领结征及双前角征,并分别计算每种征象诊断半月板桶柄状撕裂的敏感度、特异度、准确度、阳性预测值和阴性预测值.结...     

Anterior cruciate ligament tears: MR imaging-based diagnosis in a pediatric population

PURPOSE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of primary and secondary magnetic resonance (MR) imaging findings of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears in young patients with immature skeletal systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MR images obtained in 43 patients aged 5-16 years who underwent arthroscopy were retrospectively reviewed. Two reviewers evaluated primary findings (abnormal signal intensity, abnormal course as defined by Blumensaat angle, and discontinuity), secondary findings (bone bruise in lateral compartment, anterior tibial displacement, uncovering of posterior horn of lateral meniscus, posterior cruciate ligament line, and posterior cruciate angle), and meniscal and other ligamentous injuries. RESULTS: There were 19 ACL tears and 24 intact ACLs. Overall sensitivity and specificity of MR imaging in detecting ACL tears were 95% and 88%, respectively. Sensitivities of the primary findings were 94% for abnormal Blumensaat angle; 79%, abnormal signal intensity; and 21% discontinuity. The specificity of all primary findings was 88% or greater. The sensitivity and specificity of the secondary findings, respectively, were 68% and 88% for bone bruise; 63% and 92%, anterior tibial displacement; 42% and 96%, uncovered posterior horn of lateral meniscus; 68% and 92%, positive posterior cruciate line; and 74% and 71%, abnormal posterior cruciate angle. Fifteen (79%) patients had meniscal tears, and five (26%) had collateral ligament injuries. CONCLUSION: Primary and secondary findings of ACL tears in young patients have high specificity and are useful for diagnosis.     

Reversed double PCL sign: unusual location of a meniscal fragment of the knee observed by MR imaging

A 36-year-old woman with tears of the anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus received a meniscectomy. The MR images obtained prior to the partial meniscectomy showed a bucket-handle meniscal tear with centrally displaced fragment lying anterior to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), representing a "double PCL sign"; however, after the meniscectomy, MR images demonstrated a fragment in the space posterior to the PCL where no structure is generally recognized except for the ligament of Wrisberg. This article reports a "reversed" double PCL sign, caused by inadequate surgical clearance of a bucket-handle tear of the medial meniscus.     

The double ACL sign: an unusual bucket-handle tear of medial meniscus

Several characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs of meniscal bucket-handle tears are well known and widely used. This case report presents a new MRI sign of a meniscal bucket-handle tear. A 17-year-old boy visited our hospital because of the pain in his left knee. Preoperative MRI on sagittal view showed a tear in the anterior horn of the medial meniscus and a displaced fragment of the medial meniscus in front of the original anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which looks like another ACL. Under arthroscopic examination, the bucket-handle medial meniscus displaced parallel to the ACL was observed. A longitudinal tear was extended from the anterior horn to the posterior horn of medial meniscus. To our knowledge, this new MRI sign of bucket-handle tear, “the double ACL sign”, has not been previously reported. Level of evidence V.     

Reversed double PCL sign: unusual location of a meniscal fragment of the knee observed by MR imaging

A 36-year-old woman with tears of the anterior cruciate ligament and medial meniscus received a meniscectomy. The MR images obtained prior to the partial meniscectomy showed a bucket-handle meniscal tear with centrally displaced fragment lying anterior to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), representing a "double PCL sign"; however, after the meniscectomy, MR images demonstrated a fragment in the space posterior to the PCL where no structure is generally recognized except for the ligament of Wrisberg. This article reports a "reversed" double PCL sign, caused by inadequate surgical clearance of a bucket-handle tear of the medial meniscus.

     

MRI of meniscal bucket-handle tears

Objective. A meniscal bucket-handle tear is a tear with an attached fragment displaced from the meniscus of the knee joint. Low sensitivity of MRI for detection of bucket-handle tears (64% as compared with arthroscopy) has been reported previously. We report increased sensitivity for detecting bucket-handle tears with the use of coronal short tau inversion recovery (STIR) images. Design and patients. Three hundred and twenty-seven patients who had MRI of the knee between October 1994 and December 1996 and subsequently underwent arthroscopy were included in the study. We prospectively and retrospectively reviewed the MR examinations of the 30 patients with arthroscopically proven bucket-handle tears. Each of two observers examined each scan for the three traditional findings of bucket-handle tears: a double posterior cruciate ligament sign, a flipped meniscus sign and/or a fragment in the intercondylar notch. We also assessed STIR images in the coronal plane through the menisci looking for an area of increased signal within either meniscus with a displaced meniscal fragment. Results. By using four criteria for diagnosis of meniscal bucket-handle tears, our overall sensitivity compared with arthroscopy was 93% (28 of 30 meniscal bucket-handle tears seen at arthroscopy were detected by MRI). The meniscal fragment was well visualized in all 28 cases on coronal STIR images. The double posterior cruciate ligament sign was seen in 8 of 30 cases, the flipped meniscus was seen in 10 of 30 cases and a fragment in the intercondylar notch was seen in 18 of 30 cases. Conclusion. By using four criteria for diagnosis of bucket-handle tears, overall diagnostic sensitivity of MRI compared with arthroscopy increased from the previously reported 64% to 93%. Coronal STIR images are useful for detecting small meniscal bucket-handle tears.     

The flipped meniscus sign

Meniscal fragments may be difficult to detect on magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and yet are clinically significant. This paper describes and illustrates the MR appearance of an easily overlooked meniscal fragment. Ten knees, each appearing to show an abnormally large anterior meniscal horn (8 mm or more in height) were prospectively identified on MR images. In each case demonstrable large tears of the ipsilateral posterior horns were present (same meniscus as had large anterior horns). The lateral meniscus was involved in nine cases and the medial in one. Two of the ten patients imaged had surgically proven bucket-handle meniscal tears as well as meniscal fragments overlying the ipsilateral anterior horn. In one case previous MR imaging at our institution had demonstrated the affected anterior horn to be of normal caliber. The striking MR appearance of an abnormally enlarged anterior meniscal horn in association with a tear of the ipsilateral posterior horn suggests the presence of a meniscal fragment or of a posteriorly detached bucket-handle tear of the posterior horn of the meniscus.Presented at the Fifteenth Annual Skeletal Symposium of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania at Sun Valley, Idaho, USA, on 3 March 1992     

MRI对膝关节半月板桶柄样撕裂的诊断价值

目的　评价MRI诊断膝关节半月板桶柄样撕裂的应用价值。方法　经关节镜证实的 2 1例的桶柄样撕裂患者及 11例非桶柄样撕裂患者。采用百胜公司的关节专用磁共振成像系统进行扫描。观察以下 4种MRI征象 ,双前角征 ,双后交叉韧带征 ,髁间碎片征及领结消失征。结果　 3 2例患者中 ,出现双前角征的有 10例 ,双后交叉韧带征 5例 ,髁间碎片征 2 0例 ,领结消失征 2 5例。结论　MRI是诊断半月板桶柄样撕裂的有效手段 ,内侧半月板桶柄样撕裂的敏感性及特异性较外侧高 ,髁间碎片征是诊断内侧半月板桶柄样撕裂最有价值的征象     

半月板可疑撕裂的MRI与关节镜对照研究

研究半月板可疑撕裂的出现机率及其临床意义。材料和方法：回顾性分析了１２６个膝关节的ＭＲ扫描资料，当二位放射科医生均不能肯定半月板内的高信号是否延伸至半月板表面时，诊断为半月板可颖撕裂，并与关节镜检查结果进行对照。结果：１２６例中有２２例诊断为半月板可疑撕裂，占１７．５％。１２例位于内侧半月板的后角，４例位于外侧半月板的前角，６例位于外侧半月板的后角。２２例中１８例作了关节镜检查，只有２例发现有撕裂     

膝关节半月板放射状撕裂的MRI表现

目的 探讨MRI对膝关节半月板放射状撕裂的检出能力.方法 回顾性分析1085例经关节镜证实的膝关节半月板损伤中的半月板放射状撕裂107例(9.9%)患者的MRI资料,同时按住院号顺序采用等足巨抽样方法 ,抽取100例经关节镜证实的非放射状撕裂的半月板损伤患者作为对照组.所有患者均经MR检查,观察裂隙征及裂隙行走征、半月板分离征、半月板消失征及小半月板征4种征象,与关节镜结果 比较.结果 (1)107例半月板放射状撕裂患者中,最常见的发生部位是外侧半月板体部(71例,66.4%)和前体交界部(25例,23.4%).(2)107例半月板放射状撕裂中,MRI诊断放射状撕裂102例.100例半月板非放射状撕裂的半月板损伤中,MRI诊断11例为放射状撕裂,MRI诊断半月板放射状撕裂的敏感度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别为95.3%(102/107)、89.0%(89/100)、90.3%(102/113)、94.7%(89/94).(3)裂隙征和半月板分离征出现频率最高,102例中分别出现59例(57.8%)和43例(42.2%),是诊断放射状撕裂最重要的MRI征象.结论 MRI诊断半月板放射状撕裂的准确率较高,是目前术前无创诊断的最佳方法 .     

The "notch" sign: meniscal contour deformities as indicators of tear in MR imaging of the knee

Conventional magnetic resonance (MR) criteria for meniscal tearing emphasize intrameniscal signal and its communication with the articular surface. In this retrospective study, the value of a focal contour deformity of the meniscal articular surface, termed a "notch," as an additional MR sign of meniscal tearing was assessed. One hundred fifty-four menisci were evaluated. Twenty-three of 24 notches correlated with the site of tear at arthroscopy. Seven notches improved the reading confidence from possible to definite tear; in eight notches, the diagnosis of tear would otherwise not have been considered. Five tears occurred without intrameniscal signal, four following recent trauma. The notch sign improved the sensitivity from 79.8 to 87.8%. Notches are useful additional signs of meniscal tearing, increasing the confidence of a reading when occurring near grade 1 or 2 meniscal signal, and are the only MR sign present in some tears.     

The value of the absent bow tie sign in MRI of bucket-handle tears

AIM: To assess the accuracy of the absent bow tie sign in diagnosing bucket handle meniscal tears (BHT) of the knee menisci. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During a 3-year period, we correlated the MRI and arthroscopic findings and the presence of the various signs. One hundred and seven knees were reviewed: 74 where either MRI or arthroscopy had identified a BHT and 33 which were either normal (31), or a simple tear was identified (2). All cases were reviewed by a single radiologist with a musculoskeletal interest blinded to the original results. Each was assessed for the presence of (1) a central meniscal fragment, (2) the double posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) sign, (3) the bow tie sign and (4) the contribution of a 3D-volume sequence. RESULTS: Optimal results were obtained using standard sequences and a 3D-volume sequence, giving a sensitivity of 74% and positive predictive value of 89%. The bow tie sign gave a sensitivity of 71% and positive predictive value of 76%, significantly less than previous reports. The 18 BHTs diagnosed by arthroscopy but missed by MRI showed other abnormal findings at MRI and were not reported as normal. CONCLUSION: We were not able to reproduce the previously reported high sensitivity and specificity of the absent bow tie sign. Despite optimization of all factors, the accurate diagnosis of a bucket handle tear remains difficult, and is most reliably made by identifying a central meniscal fragment, rather than relying on secondary signs such as the absent bow tie sign.