Authors: Paolo Cardello Carlo Gigli Alessandra Ricci Leonardo Chiatti Nicola Voglino Enrico Pofi
Publish Date: 2008/10/10
Volume: 38, Issue: 2, Pages: 149-156
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance MR obtained with intraarticular contrast medium in the evaluation of recurrent meniscal tears using lowfield extremityonly and highfield wholebody magnetsPostoperative standard MR examinations and MR arthrographies of 95 knees were reviewed Patients experiencing pain and disability after meniscal repair underwent standard MR and MR arthrography Gadoterate meglumine 00025 mmol/ml on both a 02T and 15T magnet In 52 of 95 patients secondlook arthroscopy was performed in the remaining 43 of 95 patients clinical followup was used as the standard of reference Sensitivity specificity positive and negative predictive values as well as accuracy of MRI/MR arthrographic signs as meniscal morphologic changes and the presence of contrast medium tracking into the tear at T1 and T2weighted sequences in the detection of recurrent meniscal tears were determinedAll MR and MR arthrograpic signs were sensitive in the detection of recurrent tears range 80–91 Abnormal meniscal morphology had low specificity 26 13/50 for both the 02T and 15T scanner whereas accuracy was 55 52/95 and 57 54/95 respectively The presence of contrast medium within the meniscus substance on T2weighted images had higher value of specificity 84 42/50 and accuracy 84 80/95 by using low field strength magnet than by using high field strength magnet 74 37/50 and 81 77/95 respectively Whereas the increased intrameniscal signal intensity extending to the meniscal surface at T1weighted sequences after intraarticular contrast medium administration had lower specificity and accuracy on 02T images 84 42/50 and 82 78/95 respectively than on 15T images 90 45/50 and 88 84/95 respectivelyA diagnosis of recurrent meniscal tear in a previously arthroscopically repaired meniscus can be made both on 02T and 15T magnets on the basis of increased signal on T2weighted and T1weighted images in the presence of intraarticular contrast material
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