Multirater agreement of arthroscopic meniscal lesions

BACKGROUND: Establishing the validity of classification schemes is a crucial preparatory step that should precede multicenter studies. There are no studies investigating the reproducibility of arthroscopic classification of meniscal pathology among multiple surgeons at different institutions. HYPOTHESIS: Arthroscopic classification of meniscal pathology is reliable and reproducible and suitable for multicenter studies that involve multiple surgeons. STUDY DESIGN: Multirater agreement study. METHODS: Seven surgeons reviewed a video of 18 meniscal tears and completed a meniscal classification questionnaire. Multirater agreement was calculated based on the proportion of agreement, the kappa coefficient, and the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: There was a 46% agreement on the central/peripheral location of tears (kappa = 0.30), an 80% agreement on the depth of tears (kappa = 0.46), a 72% agreement on the presence of a degenerative component (kappa = 0.44), a 71% agreement on whether lateral tears were central to the popliteal hiatus (kappa = 0.42), a 73% agreement on the type of tear (kappa = 0.63), an 87% agreement on the location of the tear (kappa = 0.61), and an 84% agreement on the treatment of tears (kappa = 0.66). There was considerable agreement among surgeons on length, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.78, 95% confidence interval of 0.57 to 0.92, and P < .001. CONCLUSIONS: Arthroscopic grading of meniscal pathology is reliable and reproducible. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgeons can reliably classify meniscal pathology and agree on treatment, which is important for multicenter trials.     

Multirater agreement for grading the femoral and tibial cartilage surface lesions at CT arthrography and analysis of causes of disagreement

ObjectiveTo assess the multirater agreement of the modified Outerbridge system for the grading of predefined areas of femorotibial cartilage at CT arthrography with multiple readers, with varying experience.DesignFive readers with varying experience (two junior radiologists, three musculoskeletal radiologists including two experts in cartilage imaging) separately analyzed 962 cartilage sectors from pre-divided knee CT arthrograms with femorotibial osteoarthritis (Kellgren/Lawrence = 3). Each cartilage area was graded twice by each reader, at a three-month interval, according to the modified 5-grade Outerbridge system. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement were assessed. After the second reading, 121 areas exhibiting the highest interobserver disagreement were reviewed in consensus to determine the sources of disagreement.ResultsThe global interobserver agreement was fair (k = 0.35), and increased with the grade (from k = 0.14 to k = 0.76 from grade 0–4). The intraobserver agreement varied with the readers’ experience from moderate (k = 0.59) to almost perfect (k = 0.92). The majority of cases of disagreement (44%) was due to difficulties in assessing the normal variations of cartilage thickness, including diffuse cartilage thinning (23%) and normal variants of cartilage thickness (22%). 32% of cases of disagreement were due to retrospectively avoidable interpretation errors.ConclusionsThe multirater agreement of the modified Outerbridge system is only fair when readers of different level of experience are taken into account, and interobserver agreement increases with readers’ experience. However, interobserver agreement is substantial for grade 4 lesions. We report normal variations of cartilage thickness that may improve observer agreement in reporting cartilage lesions.     

Radiation-induced chondrocalcinosis of the knee articular cartilage

A case of a middle-aged man with symptomatic, localised chondrocalcinosis of the knee following irradiation is described. Cartilage damage induced by radiotherapy should be added to the list of local factors which can predispose to chondrocalcinosis.     

Changes in articular cartilage following arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy

Purpose

To examine degenerative changes in all cartilage surfaces of the knee following arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy.

Methods

For this prospective cohort study, 14 patients (five female) with a mean age of 47.9 ± 12.9 years who had undergone isolated arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy were evaluated. Cartilage-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were acquired from the operated knees before the index operations, as well as at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. The MRI scans were assessed for the prevalence, severity, and size of cartilage degenerations. The clinical outcome was assessed using the SF-36 physical and mental component score and the International Knee Documentation Committee Knee Evaluation Form and was correlated with radiological findings.

Results

There was a significant increase in the severity of cartilage lesions in the medial tibial plateau (P = 0.019), as well as a trend towards an increase in the lateral tibial plateau. The size of the cartilage lesions increased significantly in the medial femoral condyle (P = 0.005) and lateral femoral condyle (P = 0.029), as well as in the patella (P = 0.019). Functional outcome scores improved significantly throughout the follow-up period. There was no correlation between cartilage wear and functional outcome.

Conclusions

Arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy is associated with adverse effects on articular cartilage and may lead to an increase in the severity and size of cartilage lesions. Post-operative cartilage wear predominantly affected the medial compartment and also affected the other compartments of the knee. Strategies to reduce subsequent osteoarthritic changes need to involve all compartments of the knee.

Level of evidence

IV.

     

Management of articular cartilage defects of the knee

Articular cartilage injuries of the knee present a difficult clinical dilemma and their treatment is controversial. Hyaline articular cartilage is an avascular, low-friction, and wear-resistant weightbearing surface that has limited capacity for self-repair. The optimal treatment for cartilage lesions has yet to be established. Various treatment methods are employed to reestablish a stable cartilage surface, including microfracture, autologous and allograft osteochondral transplantation, autologous chondrocyte implantation, matrix-associated chondrocyte implantation, and scaffold-assisted methods. Treatment algorithms help to guide physicians' decision making in the care of these injuries. In this article, results from outcomes studies as well as prospective randomized clinical trials comparing treatment methods are reviewed, and current practice guidelines are summarized.     

MRI对急性膝关节软骨损伤的评价

目的 分析急性膝关节软骨损伤的MRI表现，以达到准确评价关节软骨损伤的范围及程度。方法 分析34例在15d内有膝关节损伤病史，且经关节镜和手术证实为关节软骨损伤患者的膝关节MRI所见，着重观察关节软骨和软骨下骨的改变，并与关节镜和手术结果对照分析。结果 34例急性损伤膝关节中有29例在MRI上表现异常，其中软骨信号异常改变4例，软骨局限性变薄3例，骨软骨压迹3例，软骨凹凸不平(皱褶)3例，软骨连续性中断13例，软骨缺损2例，软骨缺损伴关节内游离软骨体1例。MRI还发现关节镜无法观察到的骨挫伤、隐匿性骨折等改变。结论 MRI对急性关节软骨损伤的显示准确，MRI结合关节镜检查可准确评价急性膝关节损伤的范围、程度，可决定治疗方案.     

Magnetic resonance imaging of traumatic knee articular cartilage injuries

The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging in determining the presence of articular cartilage injuries of the knee with arthroscopy as the standard for comparison. Forty-nine articular cartilage lesions were documented in 28 knees (27 patients) by arthroscopy. There were 22 men and 5 women with an average age of 29 years. Multiplanar magnetic resonance imaging was performed with spin echo and gradient-refocused acquisition in a steady state pulse technique. All of the knees had magnetic resonance imaging done within 4 weeks prior to arthroscopy. The magnetic resonance images were interpreted before arthroscopy and interpreted again after the results of arthroscopy were known to better define the potential learning curve for evaluating chondral lesions and to identify the technical limits of the existing imaging protocol/software. For full-thickness articular cartilage lesions, the prearthroscopy sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging was 41% (12/29) and the postarthroscopy sensitivity was 83% (24/29). For partial-thickness chondral injury, the prearthroscopy sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging was 15% (3/20) and the postarthroscopy sensitivity was 55% (11/20). The presence of an intraarticular effusion assisted the detection of chondral lesions because of an "arthrogram" effect. As a noninvasive method of evaluating articular cartilage and despite experienced interpretation and the benefit of retrospective analysis, both the prearthroscopy and the postarthroscopy sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging was low using the imaging parameters described. Injury to articular cartilage is a frequent cause of knee pain and knee surgery; it is important to note at this time that magnetic resonance imaging cannot reliably exclude the presence of an articular cartilage injury.     

膝关节关节软骨损伤的MRI评价

目的:以关节镜为标准,评价不同MR成像序列(T2WI、T1WI及FS T2WI)对膝关节软骨损伤的诊断价值.方法:回顾性分析经关节镜证实的60例(60个)膝关节的MRI资料,MRI包括矢状位T2WI、T1WI及FS T2WI,冠状位FS T2WI,部分病人还行轴位FS T2WI.MRI图像对股骨内外髁、胫骨内外平台、股骨滑车及髌骨六个关节面关节软骨(共360处)进行评价,并与关节镜图像逐一对照.结果:①在FS T2WI上正常膝关节软骨为光滑的曲线状高信号带,在股骨内、外髁及胫骨平台表面关节软骨呈由表及里的高、低、高3层结构;T2WI及T1WI上关节软骨分层现象不明显呈中低信号;②与关节镜对照,60个膝关节软骨损伤患者的MRI检查结果:FS T2WI的敏感度为90.2%,特异度为96.6%,Kappa值为0.766;T2WI的敏感度为80.5%,特异度为98.5%,Kappa值为0.537;T1WI的敏感度为63.0%,特异度为99.3%,Kappa值为0.367.结论:FS T2WI序列显示膝关节软骨损伤的准确性优于T2WI和T1WI序列并与关节镜诊断结果之间具有良好的一致性.T2WI、T1WI及FS T2WI三序列在诊断膝关节软骨损伤的准确性方面有显著差性异.     

Functional outcome of knee articular cartilage repair in adolescent athletes

BACKGROUND: Limited information exists about the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage lesions of the knee in adolescent athletes. PURPOSE: To evaluate the functional outcome and athletic activity after articular cartilage repair in the knees of adolescent athletes. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: Twenty adolescent athletes with full-thickness articular cartilage lesions of the knee were treated with autologous chondrocyte transplantation. Functional outcome was evaluated by subjective patient outcome rating, knee activity scores, and level of athletic participation. RESULTS: At a mean of 47 months after autologous chondrocyte transplantation, 96% of adolescents reported good or excellent results with significant increases in postoperative Tegner activity scores and Lysholm scores. Ninety-six percent returned to high-impact sports and 60% to an athletic level equal or higher than that before knee injury. Return to preinjury sports correlated with shorter preoperative symptoms and a lower number of prior operations. All adolescents with preoperative symptoms < or =12 months returned to preinjury-level athletics, compared to 33% with preoperative intervals longer than 12 months. CONCLUSION: Treatment of full-thickness articular injuries of the knee in adolescent athletes with autologous chondrocyte transplantation yields a high rate of functional success at a mean follow-up of 47 months. The rate of return to demanding athletic activities is higher in cases in which the preoperative duration of symptoms is 12 months or less.     

膝关节软骨MRI梯度回波序列的参数优化

目的：观察不同扫描参数对图像质量的影响，优化出不同的梯度回波序列的最佳扫描参数。方法：选择尸体膝关节2只，检查设备为Marconi eclipse 1．5T MR扫描仪。采用三维傅立叶稳态采集技术(3D FAST)；三维傅立叶稳态采集技术与脂肪抑制技术联合应用(FS 3D FAST)；三维射频毁损傅立叶稳态采集技术(3D FR-spoiled FAST，3D FR-spoiled FAST)；三维射频毁损傅立叶稳态采集技术与脂肪抑制序列联合应用(FS 3D FS-spoiled FAST)等4个序列进行扫描，每一序列采用不同的TE时间(5ms、10ms、15ms、20ms)结合不同翻转角(FLIP)(20、40、60)进行扫描(由于设备条件限制，3D FAST未进行，IE=5ms的扫描)。每一序列分别得到9组或12组不同成像参数的图像。分别计算不同序列、不同参数条件下的软骨与骨髓、软骨与液体的对比噪声比。数据采用SPSS软件包进行统计分析。结果：当，TE=10ms，FLIP=60时，FS 3D FAST序列及当，TE=5ms，FLIP=40时，FS 3D FR-spoiled FAST序列所得到软骨与骨髓及软骨与液体的对比噪声比均最佳。结论：①FS 3D RF-spoiled FAST序列的最佳扫描参数为，TE=5ms，FLIP=40；②FS 3D FAST序列的最佳扫描参数TE=10ms，FLIP=60。     

The value of water-excitation 3D FLASH and fat-saturated PDw TSE MR imaging for detecting and grading articular cartilage lesions of the knee

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of water-excitation (WE) 3D FLASH and fat-saturated (FS) proton density-weighted (PDw) TSE MR imaging for detecting, grading, and sizing articular cartilage lesions of the knee. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: A total of 26 patients underwent MR imaging prior to arthroscopy with the following sequences: (1) WE 3D FLASH: 28/11 ms, scan time: 4 min 58 s, flip angle: 40 degrees; (2) FS PDw TSE: 3433/15 ms, scan time: 6 min 15 s, flip angle: 180 degrees. Grade and size of the detected lesions were quantified and compared with the results of arthroscopy for each compartment. RESULTS. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy for detecting cartilage lesions were 46%, 92%, 81%, 71% and 74% for WE 3D FLASH and 91%, 98%, 96%, 94% and 95% for FS PDw TSE MR imaging. WE 3D FLASH correlated significantly with arthroscopy for grading on the patella ( P<0.0001) and the femoral trochlea ( P=0.02) and for sizing on the femoral trochlea ( P=0.03). FS PDw correlated significantly ( P<0.0001) with arthroscopy for grading and sizing on all compartments. CONCLUSION: FS PDw TSE is an accurate method for detecting, grading and sizing articular cartilage lesions of the knee and yielded superior results relative to WE 3D FLASH MR imaging.     

Patellofemoral and tibiofemoral articular cartilage and subchondral bone health following arthroscopic partial medial meniscectomy

Purpose  

To examine articular cartilage and subchondral bone changes in tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints following partial medial meniscectomy.     

MR新技术在膝关节软骨成像中的应用

膝关节软骨在维持关节正常活动中起着重要的作用,诸多关节疾病早期均可表现为关节软骨损伤,在软骨形态学改变之前,主要为软骨内部生化成分的改变,如水含量的增加、胶原纤维的崩解及蛋白多糖的缺失[1],准确地评估软骨损伤程度可以有效地延缓关节疾病的进展.MR成像技术因其无创性、分辨率高及多方位成像等特点已成为公认的评价关节软骨的首选影像学检查方法,正常的关节软骨在常规T2WI上表现为弧线形中高信号,且与周围关节积液形成良好的对比.然而,常规的MR成像技术并不能清晰地显示软骨内部生化成分的病理变化.目前,多种新型MR技术已用于膝关节软骨生理成像,不同的MR技术有其不同特点及成像方法,本文就多种新型MR技术的成像特点及方法进行综述.     

Osteochondral allografts in the treatment of articular cartilage injuries of the knee

Osteochondral allografts have demonstrated encouraging clinical and scientific success in the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage defects in multiple anatomic locations including the knee. The use of fresh grafts has shown the greatest potential for clinical success. There has been growing interest in cryopreservation techniques and the use of cryopreserved grafts owing to the delay in obtaining grafts secondary to regulatory testing, encouraging laboratory data surrounding their use, and the potential for more effective tissue banking. This article reviews the indications, operative technique, and clinical outcomes using osteochondral allografts for full-thickness articular cartilage defects in the knee.     

Radiographic findings of osteoarthritis versus arthroscopic findings of articular cartilage degeneration in the tibiofemoral joint

PURPOSE: To retrospectively correlate radiographic findings of osteoarthritis of the tibiofemoral joint with arthroscopic findings of articular cartilage degeneration within the tibiofemoral joint in patients with chronic knee pain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was performed in compliance with HIPAA regulations. Approval from an institutional review board and a waiver of informed consent were obtained. The study group consisted of 125 patients with osteoarthritis of the tibiofemoral joint (66 men, 59 women; age range, 35-77 years; average age, 52 years) and 25 patients of similar age (14 men, 11 women; age range, 36-69 years; average age, 50 years) with no osteoarthritis of the tibiofemoral joint. All patients underwent standing anteroposterior radiography of the knee prior to arthroscopic knee surgery. Each articular surface of the tibiofemoral joint was graded at arthroscopy. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed the knee radiographs to determine the presence of marginal osteophytes, joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts. The sensitivity and specificity of the radiographic features of osteoarthritis for the detection of articular cartilage degeneration within the medial and lateral compartments of the tibiofemoral joint were determined. RESULTS: The sensitivity of marginal osteophytes, joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts for the detection of articular cartilage degeneration was 67%, 46%, 16%, and 10%, respectively, for the medial compartment and 49%, 7%, 6%, and 3%, respectively, for the lateral compartment. The specificity of marginal osteophytes, joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts for the detection of articular cartilage degeneration was 73%, 95%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, for the medial compartment and 81%, 100%, 100%, and 100%, respectively, for the lateral compartment. CONCLUSION: Marginal osteophytes were the most sensitive radiographic feature for the detection of osteoarthritis of the tibiofemoral joint. Joint space narrowing, subchondral sclerosis, and subchondral cysts were less sensitive radiographic features of osteoarthritis and rarely occurred in the absence of associated osteophyte formation.