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This study evaluated the MRI signal characteristics and MRI diagnostic accuracy in identifying completely healed menisci repaired with bioabsorbable arrows. A total of 34 patients (38 menisci), with a mean age of 26.0 years, underwent arthroscopic meniscal repair with bioabsorbable arrows and concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Of the 34 patients, 27 were male and 7 were female. Of the 38 menisci, 27 were medial and 11 were lateral. Second-look arthroscopy was performed for each patient while taking out the hardware for ACL reconstruction of the tibial side to evaluate the healing status of the repaired menisci. Postoperative MRI was done 2 days before or after second-look arthroscopy. Sagittal T1, T2 and PD images and coronal T2 and PD images were used as the main diagnostic serials. Second-look arthroscopy showed that surfaces of the repaired sites of all 38 menici were almost smooth. In all 38 cases the tail ends of meniscus arrows disappeared and in four patients new overlying injury of compartmental cartilage at the repaired side was detected. MRI results revealed that different serials had different diagnostic accuracy. Sagittal: T1 28.9%, PD 34.2%, T2 60.5%. Coronal: PD 36.8%, T2 65.8%. The double sides Grade 3 signal had a higher proportion in saggital T1 and PD serials, 47.4 and 39.5%, respectively, while lower in sagittal and coronal T2 serials, both 5.3%. MRI diagnostic accuracy was correlated positively with the follow-up time (P< 0.05). MRI has its limitation in evaluating the status of menisci repaired with bioabsorbable arrows, especially for PD and T1 serials. T2 serials have higher diagnostic accuracy than other serials. MRI diagnostic accuracy can be improved by prolonging follow-up time and might be improved by further classifying Grade 3 signal in terms of signal intensity and the shape of the signal margin.

Aplasia cutis congenita (ACC) is a rare condition with an unclear pathogenic mechanism, although the condition has been suggested to occur as a result of the disrupted development or degeneration of skin . ACC associated with fetus papyraceus has been described in numerous studies. Although there have been several reports of ACC, surgical treatment of ACC using the head as a site of donor skin is rarely reported. The present study describes the case of a 1-week-old patient with ACC that was healed by skin grafting, using the scalp as the donor site. The outcome of the procedure showed that the use of the scalp as a donor skin site for grafting is an effective treatment for large and deep ACC lesions arising on sites other than the head.

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