Accuracy of routine magnetic resonance imaging in meniscal and ligamentous injuries of the knee: comparison with arthroscopy

The aim of this study was to detect the accuracy of routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) done in different centres and its agreement with arthroscopy in meniscal and ligamentous injuries of the knee. We prospectively examined 70 patients ranging in age between 22 and 59 years. History taking, plain X-ray, clinical examination, routine MRI and arthroscopy were done for all patients. Sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, P value and kappa agreement measures were calculated. We found a sensitivity of 47 and 100%, specificity of 95 and 75% and accuracy of 73 and 78.5%, respectively, for the medial and lateral meniscus. A sensitivity of 77.8%, specificity of 100% and accuracy of 94% was noted for the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). We found good kappa agreements (0.43 and 0.45) for both menisci and excellent agreement (0.84) for the ACL. MRI shows high accuracy and should be used as the primary diagnostic tool for selection of candidates for arthroscopy. Level of evidence: 4.     

Concomitant ligamentous and meniscal knee injuries in femoral shaft fracture

Background

Concomitant knee injury is a common finding in femoral fractures but can be easily missed during early management of the initial trauma. Degrees of damage to the articular structures vary considerably; from only a mild effusion to complete ligamentous and meniscal tears. Since previous reports were mostly from developed societies, this study was designed to look into characteristics of associated knee injury in a sample from Iran, to represent a developing country perspective.

Materials and methods

Consecutive patients admitted to an orthopedic ward of Baqiyatallah hospital (Tehran, Iran) with diagnosis of femoral fracture were enrolled in this study between October 2008 and September 2009. In patients who met the inclusion criteria of the study, arthroscopic or open surgical examination of the knee, ADT, Lachman test, varus and valgus stress tests under anesthesia were carried out to determine the incidence of knee injury.

Results

Forty patients with ipsilateral and two patients with bilateral femoral fractures were studied. Arthroscopy revealed medial meniscus injury in 12 (27 %) knees. Three (7 %) lateral meniscus injuries, 18 (40.9 %) ACL injuries and 2 (4.5 %) PCL injuries were also found. In varus and valgus stress tests, 15 (34 %) MCL and 4 (9 %) LCL laxities were noticed. The Lachman test was positive in 3 (6 %), and ADT was positive in 2 (4.5 %) patients.

Conclusions

Based on our observations, concomitant ligamentous and meniscal knee injury is a common finding in femoral shaft fractures and rates of these injuries are generally in concert with reports from developed nations.     

膝关节半月板损伤的MR检查技术

MRI已成为诊断膝关节半月板损伤的首选方法。目前有多种脉冲序列及技术应用于膝关节损伤检查。本文就膝关节半月板损伤MR多种脉冲序列及检查技术的特点与应用情况进行综述。     

Osteochondritis dissecans of the knee in children. A comparison of MRI and arthroscopic findings

The treatment of osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) in children and adolescents is determined by the stability of the lesion and the state of the overlying cartilage. MRI has been advocated as an accurate way of assessing and staging such lesions. Our aim was to determine if MRI scans accurately predicted the subsequent arthroscopic findings in adolescents with OCD of the knee. Some authors have suggested that a high signal line behind a fragment on the T2-weighted image indicates the presence of synovial fluid and is a sign of an unstable lesion. More recent reports have suggested that this high signal line is due to the presence of vascular granulation tissue and may represent a healing reaction. We were able to improve the accuracy of MRI for staging the OCD lesion from 45% to 85% by interpreting the high signal T2 line as a predictor of instability only when it was accompanied by a breach in the cartilage on the T1-weighted image. We conclude that MRI can be used to stage OCD lesions accurately and that a high signal line behind the OCD fragment does not always indicate instability. We recommend the use of an MRI classification system which correlates with the arthroscopic findings.     

Correlation between clinical, arthrographic and arthroscopic findings in meniscal lesions

There are many different references about the accuracy of physical examination and arthrographic exploration in diagnosing meniscal tears. Therefore we analysed retrospectively 334 arthroscopic examinations, which were done because of a suspected or a proven meniscal lesion. We found an accuracy of 84% true-positives and true-negatives with regard to the physical examination and an accuracy of only 71.2% with regard to the arthrographic investigation. Our results were converted into a formula (stated in [11]), declaring the predictive value of a result. These findings led us to a certain scheme in diagnosing meniscal or other knee pain, presented here.     

膝关节镜Clearfix与FasT-Fix半月板修复系统修复半月板损伤的比较

目的比较膝关节镜Clearfix与FasT—Fix半月板修复系统修复半月板损伤的临床愈合率。方法1998年11月-2001年6月，膝关节镜下采用Clearfix系统修复半月板损伤50例；2001年6月～2002年12月，关节镜下采用FasT—Fix系统修复半月板损伤61例。比较2组半月板损伤的临床愈合率。判断半月板损伤临床愈合的标准包括关节无交锁、无肿胀、关节间隙无压痛以及McMurray试验阴性。结果Clearfix组平均随访19个月（12—48个月），根据临床标准12例半月板修复术失败，临床愈合率为75．O％（36／48）；FasT—Fix组平均随访18个月（14—28个月），5例半月板修复术失败，临床愈合率为91．4％（53／58）。Fast-Fix组半月板临床愈合率显著高于Clearfix组（Z=-2．277，P=0．023）。结论与Clearfix系统相比，FasT—Fix系统修复半月板损伤可获得较高的临床愈合率。     

Clinical,MRI, and arthroscopic correlation in meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament injuries

The aim of this prospective study was to compare and correlate clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthroscopic findings in cases of meniscal tear and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. MRI scan results and clinical diagnosis are compared against the arthroscopic confirmation of the diagnosis. One hundred and thirty-one patients had suspected traumatic meniscal or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Clinical examination had better sensitivity (0.86 vs. 0.76), specificity (0.73 vs. 0.52), predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy in comparison to MRI scan in diagnosis for medial meniscal tears. These parameters showed only marginal difference in lateral meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. We conclude that carefully performed clinical examination can give equal or better diagnosis of meniscal and ACL injuries in comparison to MRI scan. MRI may be used to rule out such injuries rather than to diagnose them.     

Mechanism of traumatic knee injuries and MRI findings

Bone bruises are focal abnormalities in subchondral bone marrow due to trabecular microfractures as a result of traumatic force. These trauma-induced lesions are better detected with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using water-sensitive sequences. Moreover, the pattern of bone bruise is distinctive and allows us to understand the dynamics of trauma and to predict associated soft injuries. This article discusses the mechanism of traumatic injury and MR findings.     

Double contrast arthrography of the knee. A comparison to clinical diagnosis and arthroscopic findings

The accuracy of pre-arthroscopic double contrast arthrography was evaluated in 100 consecutive patients. Meniscal tears were correctly diagnosed arthrographically in 76% of cases, and clinically in 85% of cases. Although reasonably accurate in determining the location of the meniscal tear, arthrography was significantly inaccurate in the evaluation of the type of tear. The status of the anterior cruciate ligament was correctly interpreted by arthrogram in 76% of cases; the integrity of the ligament was correctly assessed in 94% of cases by clinical examination without anesthesia. It appears, therefore, when compared to initial clinical examination, double contrast arthrography is of limited usefulness as a pre-surgical aid to the diagnosis of intra-articular knee pathology.     

膝半月板损伤的临床、MRI及关节镜对比研究

[目的]比较分析膝关节半月板损伤的临床、MRI和关节镜诊断，以提高诊断率。[方法]对本院176例同时行MRI检查及关节镜治疗，且至少临床、MRI或关节镜之一诊断为半月板损伤的患者MRI及病历资料作回顾性对照分析。以关节镜诊断为标准，计算临床和MRI诊断的敏感性、特异性、准确度，应用卡方检验比较临床和MRI诊断与关节镜诊断的差异。[结果]临床诊断的敏感性、特异性、准确度分别为79．3％、26．3％、73．8％；临床诊断与关节镜诊断差异有统计学意义（z。：7．52，P〈0．01）。MRI诊断的的敏感性、特异性、准确度分别为94．1％、92．9％、93．4％；MRI对半月板撕裂的诊断与关节镜诊断差异无统计学意义（x^2=0．375，P〉0．05）。[结论]MRI是诊断半月板破裂极有价值的无创方法，是膝关节镜术前的重要检查。MRI与临床诊断相结合可提高半月板撕裂伤的诊断率，避免不必要的关节镜手术。     

Wrist injuries: correlation of clinical and arthroscopic findings

Wrist arthroscopy was done for one hundred nine patients with chronic wrist pain, averaging 22.8 months in duration. History regarding mechanism of injury, painful crepitus, pain with activity or at rest, localization of tenderness, visible swelling, and instability with examination was compared with arthroscopic findings of ligament damage, articular cartilage damage, and synovitis. Both pain at rest and swelling correlated significantly with synovitis. Tenderness did not correlate with specific ligament injury. Wrist ligament injuries and/or cartilage damage were noted in 96.3% of these wrists. Ligament injuries were frequently multiple, averaging 2.6 ligament injuries per wrist. No significant association was found between the presence of chondromalacia, synovitis, or specific ligament tears and the mechanism of injury, duration of symptoms, presence of clicking, or pain with activity.     

Validity of clinical and ultrasound findings in relation to arthroscopic findings of new injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee

Injuries of anterior cruciate ligament are constantly present in sports, but also in common life activities. Diagnostic procedures which are available today in diagnosis and estimation of severity of intraarticular knee structures, are numerous, but they are not available, plausibile and valid in the same manner. Aim of this study was to compare diagnostic validity of clinic and ultrasound examination related to arthroscopy in "fresh trauma: of anterior cruciate ligament This prospective study contains analysis 205 hospitalised patients treated from 2004 to 2006 at IOS "Banjica" Beograd and SOSH "Decedra" Beograd in matter of arthroscopy. Before the arthroscopy, clinical and ultrasound examination was performed. Values of sensitivity(87.1%), specificity(97.7%), positive (98.2%) and negative predictive value (84.3%) of ultrasound examination are affirmative in high reliability of this diagnostic procedure in a diagnosis of fresh lesions of anterior cruciate ligament.     

Stress radiography in acute ligamentous injuries of the knee

Stress radiography was performed on 60 acute ligamentous injuries of the knee under general anaesthesia using a simple standard technique. Laxity on angular stress in extension was evident when the posterior cruciate ligament was torn in association with a collateral capsular tear. The same test repeated in 20–30 ° of flexion was abnormal when the collateral capsule alone was torn and the laxity always exceeded 5 °. Where both cruciate ligaments were torn the laxity exceeded 10 °. Lateral stress radiographs in the presence of an isolated capsular tear demonstrated rotatory laxity with a glide rarely exceeding 10 mm. The addition of a torn anterior cruciate ligament resulted in sagittal laxity greater than 7 mm and a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament, irrespective of the associated pathology, resulted in a laxity exceeding 12 mm.     

Evaluation of knee instability in acute ligamentous injuries

The stability on clinical examination (CE) and examination under anaesthesia (EUA) was evaluated in 350 consecutive acute knee injuries. Valgus instability in knees with a medial collateral tear was observed on CE in 62 and on EUA in 67 cases (p less than 0.05). The anterior drawer sign was positive in 55 patients on CE and in 110 patients on EUA (p less than 0.0001), the corresponding figures for the Lachman test were 66 and 126 respectively (p less than 0.0001). The pivot shift-test was positive in 13 cases on CE and in 87 under anaesthesia (p less than 0.0001). Fresh total tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (confirmed at arthrotomy, n = 79) were detected by the Lachman test in 48 per cent on CE and in 96 per cent on EUA. Of the nine fresh, total tears of the posterior cruciate ligament three were disclosed by the posterior drawer test on CE and all nine on EUA. Anteromedial rotatory instability was observed on CE in 10 patients and on EUA in 47 (p less than 0.0001). In these patients 41 medial collateral tears, 23 posteromedial capsular tears, 21 medial meniscus and 40 anterior cruciate lesions were found. On CE only one anterolateral rotatory instability was found, whereas EUA disclosed 9 cases. Posteromedial rotatory instability was not confirmed on CE, though on EUA four cases were found. CE and EUA detected 2 and 3 posterolateral instabilities respectively. In conclusion, the use of EUA with an adequate mode of stability evaluation in acute knee injuries is strongly advocated. Clinical examination is considered highly unreliable with many false negative findings.     

Medial meniscal ossicles: Associated knee MRI findings in a multicenter case-control study

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess and compare the prevalence of meniscal, ligament and cartilage lesions on knee MRI in a series of age- and sex-matched patients with and without medial meniscal ossicle.Materials and methodsForty-two knee MRI examinations obtained in 42 patients (36 men, 6 women; mean age, 42.5 ± 22.2 [SD] years; range: 19–65 years) on which a medial meniscal ossicle was present were compared to 42 knee MRI examinations obtained in 42 age- and sex-matched patients (36 men, 6 women; mean age, 41.8 ± 20.6 [SD] years; range: 19–65 years) on which no medial meniscal ossicles were present. Two radiologists (R1, R2) blinded to the presence of meniscal ossicle by reading only the fat-saturated intermediate-weighted MR images separately assessed the presence of meniscal, ligament and cartilage lesions on these 84 knee MRI examinations. Prevalence of meniscal and ligament lesions and degree of cartilage degradation at MRI were compared between knees with and those without medial meniscal ossicle.ResultsIn knees with medial meniscal ossicle, R1 and R2 detected 33 (79%) and 38 (90%) medial meniscal lesions, respectively that involved the posterior root (n = 25/32 for R1/R2), the posterior horn (n = 19/14 for R1/R2) or the body (n = 8/10 for R1/R2). The prevalence of posterior root tear (60% [25/42]/76% [32/42] for R1/R2) and that of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) lesions (48% [20/42]/57% [24/42] for R1/R2) as well as the medial cartilage degradation score (3.35 ± 0.87 [SD] for R1 and 3.92 ± 0.78 [SD] for R2) were significantly greater in knees with than in knees without medial meniscal ossicle (root lesions: P < 0.01 for both readers; ACL lesions and medial cartilage score: P < 0.01 for both readers).ConclusionOn MRI examination, knees with a medial meniscal ossicle demonstrate a greater frequency of medial posterior root tear and of ACL lesions and a greater degree of medial femoro-tibial cartilage degradation by comparison with knees without medial ossicle.     

Inappropriate use of arthroscopic meniscal surgery in degenerative knee disease

Background and purpose — Current evidence suggests that arthroscopic knee surgery has no added benefit compared with non-surgical management in degenerative meniscal disease. Yet in many countries, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) remains among the most frequently performed surgeries. This study quantifies and characterizes the dynamics of the current use of knee arthroscopies in Switzerland in a distinctively non-traumatic patient group.

Methods — We assessed a non-accident insurance plan of a major Swiss health insurance company for surgery rates of APM, arthroscopic debridement and lavage in patients over the age of 40, comparing the years 2012 and 2015. Claims were analyzed for prevalence of osteoarthritis, related interventions and the association of surgery with insurance status.

Results — 648,708 and 647,808 people were examined in 2012 and 2015, respectively. The incidence of APM, debridement, and lavage was 388 per 10⁵ person-years in 2012 and 352 per 10⁵ person-years in 2015 in non-traumatic patients over the age of 40, consisting mostly of APM (96%). Between years, APM surgery rates changed in patients over the age of 65 (p < 0.001) but was similar in patients aged 40–64. Overall prevalence of osteoarthritis was 25%. Insurance status was independently associated with arthroscopic knee surgery.

Interpretation — APM is widely used in non-traumatic patients in Switzerland, which contrasts with current evidence. Many procedures take place in patients with degenerative knee disease. Surgery rates were similar in non-traumatic middle-aged patients between 2012 and 2015. Accordingly, the potential of inappropriate use of APM in non-traumatic patients in Switzerland is high.