Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Clinical, MRI, and arthroscopic correlation in meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament injuries

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Orthopaedics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aim of this prospective study was to compare and correlate clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and arthroscopic findings in cases of meniscal tear and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. MRI scan results and clinical diagnosis are compared against the arthroscopic confirmation of the diagnosis. One hundred and thirty-one patients had suspected traumatic meniscal or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Clinical examination had better sensitivity (0.86 vs. 0.76), specificity (0.73 vs. 0.52), predictive values, and diagnostic accuracy in comparison to MRI scan in diagnosis for medial meniscal tears. These parameters showed only marginal difference in lateral meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. We conclude that carefully performed clinical examination can give equal or better diagnosis of meniscal and ACL injuries in comparison to MRI scan. MRI may be used to rule out such injuries rather than to diagnose them.

Résumé

Le but de cette étude prospective est d’établir une corrélation clinique entre l’IRM et les constatations arthroscopiques lors de lésions méniscales associées à des lésions du ligament croisé antérieur. Matériel et méthode: les résultats du scanner ont été comparés aux résultats arthroscopiques, 131 patients suspects de lésions méniscales post-traumatiques ou de lésions du ligament croisé antérieur ont été inclus. Résultats : l’examen clinique a une sensitivité de (0,86 v/s 0,76) et une spécificité de (0,73 v/s 0,52) si l’on compare les constatations pré-opératoires avec le diagnostic. Ces paramètres montrent une différence marginale lors de lésion du ménisque latéral et des lésions du ligament croisé antérieur. Conclusion : nous pouvons conclure que l’examen clinique permet de faire un diagnostic équivalent, sinon meilleur, des lésions méniscales et des lésions du ligament croisé antérieur comparé aux examens complémentaires IRM, scanner. L’IRM peut être utilisé pour exclure ces lésions traumatiques plutôt que pour leur diagnostic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Abdon P, Lindstrand A, Thorngren KG (1990) Statistical evaluation of the diagnostic criteria for meniscal tears. Int Orthop 14(4):341–345

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Aydingoz U, Firat AK, Atay OA, Doral MN (2003) MR imaging of meniscal bucket-handle tears: a review of signs and their relation to arthroscopic classification. Eur Radiol 13(3):618–625

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Barronian AD, Zoltan JD, Bucon KA (1989) Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee: correlation with arthroscopy. Arthroscopy 5(3):187–191

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Chang CY, Wu HT, Huang TF, Ma HL, Hung SC (2004) Imaging evaluation of meniscal injury of the knee joint: a comparative MR imaging and arthroscopic study. Clin Imaging 28(5):372–376

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Cheung LP, Li KC, Hollett MD, Bergman AG, Herfkens RJ (1997) Meniscal tears of the knee: accuracy of detection with fast spin-echo MR imaging and arthroscopic correlation in 293 patients. Radiology 203(2):508–512

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. De Smet AA, Graf BK (1994) Meniscal tears missed on MR imaging: relationship to meniscal tear patterns and anterior cruciate ligament tears. AJR Am J Roentgenol 162(4):905–911

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Jee WH, McCauley TR, Kim JM (2004) Magnetic resonance diagnosis of meniscal tears in patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament tears. J Comput Assist Tomogr 28(3):402–406

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kelly MA, Flock TJ, Kimmel JA, Kiernan HA Jr, Singson RS, Starron RB, Feldman F (1991) MR imaging of the knee: clarification of its role. Arthroscopy 7(1):78–85

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Kreitner KF, Runkel M, Herrig A, Regentrop HJ, Grebe P (1998) MRI of knee ligaments: error analysis with reference to meniscus and anterior cruciate ligaments in an arthroscopic controlled patient cohort. Rofo 169(2):157–162

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Lundberg M, Odensten M, Thuomas KA, Messner K (1996) The diagnostic validity of magnetic resonance imaging in acute knee injuries with hemarthrosis. A single-blinded evaluation in 69 patients using high-field MRI before arthroscopy. Int J Sports Med 17(3):218–222

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Mohan BR, Gosal HS (2007) Reliability of clinical diagnosis in meniscal tears. Int Orthop 31(1):57–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Munshi M, Davidson M, MacDonald PB, Froese W, Sutherland K (2000) The efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging in acute knee injuries. Clin J Sport Med 10(1):34–39

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Rangger C, Klestil T, Kathrein A, Inderster A, Hamid L (1996) Influence of magnetic resonance imaging on indications for arthroscopy of the knee. Clin Orthop Relat Res 330:133–142

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Rose NE, Gold SM (1996) A comparison of accuracy between clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament tears. Arthroscopy 12(4):398–405

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University College London Hospitals/The Princess Grace Hospital, 42-52 Nottingham Place, London, W1M 3FD, UK

    F. Rayan

  2. Wockhardt Bone and Joint Hospital, Mumbai, India, 400078

    Sachin Bhonsle

  3. Kettering General Hospital, Kettering, NN16 8UZ, UK

    Divyang D. Shukla

Authors
  1. F. Rayan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sachin Bhonsle
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Divyang D. Shukla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Rayan.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rayan, F., Bhonsle, S. & Shukla, D.D. Clinical, MRI, and arthroscopic correlation in meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. International Orthopaedics (SICO 33, 129–132 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-008-0520-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-008-0520-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation