The Value of Sonography With Micro Convex Probes in Diagnosing Meniscal Tears Compared With Arthroscopy

Abstract

Meniscal tears are common in all age groups. The use of sonography allows rapid, low-cost, and noninvasive exploration of meniscal tears as a first-line diagnostic method. We recommend high-resolution micro convex probes, which better fit the anatomic concavity of the popliteal fossa, as efficient investigation tools.

The Value of Ultrasonography in the Detection of Meniscal Tears Diagnosed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

“…In our prospective study, ultrasonography was found to be a highly sensitive and specific imaging method for both the detection and definition of meniscal tears, comparable with MRI. A recent study by Najafi et al 8 in 2006 reports a 100% and 95% sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in detecting meniscal tears, respectively, and high-resolution microconvex probes were recommended for making a diagnosis of meniscal tears. However, they only examined the posterior horns of both menisci, and they chose patients with positive ultrasonographic findings who had been examined arthroscopically.…”

Discoid Lateral Meniscus Incidence During Knee Arthroscopy

“…Ultrasonographic imaging of the menisci may demonstrate a wide and irregularly shaped lateral discoid meniscus in type 1 and 2 discoid menisci with an overall accuracy of more than 70%. (9,11). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used to diagnose musculoskeletal pathologies affecting the knee.…”

The discoid meniscus

“…The use of high-resolution micro convex probes, which better fit the anatomic concavity of the popliteal fossa, achieves a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95% in detecting meniscal tears. The positive predictive value was reported to be 95% and 93% for the medial and lateral menisci, respectively, and the negative predictive value was 100% [39]. It is important to point out that ultrasonography (US) is an examiner-dependent tool and should be evaluated accordingly in the clinical setting.…”