MR diagnosis of recurrent tears in the knee: value of intraarticular contrast material.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE.After surgical resection or repair of a torn meniscus, the healed area may have areas of abnormal signal Intensity on MR images.

Direct magnetic resonance arthrography

“…6). In a study comparing the reliabilities of conventional and arthrographic MR in the postoperative knee, diagnostic accuracy increased from 66 to 88% in patients with more than 25% resection of the meniscus [58]. In a different study, results were similar when more than 25% of the meniscus had been resected, but MR arthrography showed no significant advantage over conventional MR in patients with less than 25% meniscal resection [59].…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Postoperative Meniscus

“…[80][81][82][83][84][85][86] However, as discussed by others, 87-90 the authors routinely begin with conventional MR imaging to screen the postoperative knee, for the following reasons:…”

Direct magnetic resonance arthrography of the knee: utility of axial traction

“…4). But direct MR arthrography of the knee in diagnosing recurrent meniscal tear is not perfect with accuracies ranging from 85 to 87% [1,3]. Contrast material delineating cartilage defects may also enhance their detection when natural intra-articular contrast, i.e.…”

“…Direct magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography of the knee joint with injection of diluted gadolinium is widely used for the detection of intra-articular abnormalities, especially for evaluation of residual or recurrent meniscal tears following meniscal surgery [1][2][3]. MR arthrography also has the potential to identify intra-articular bodies [4], and chondral [5,6] and osteochondral [7] lesions and is helpful after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament [8].…”