title: Influence of magnetic resonance imaging on indications for arthroscopy of the knee.
abstract: In a prospective study, magnetic resonance imaging was performed before arthroscopy for all patients (n = 121) with a meniscal tear (n = 125). Criteria of the study were stable cruciate and collateral ligaments, absence of pathologic radiographic findings, and absence of prior surgical interventions of the involved knee joint. In 43 knees (34%), the clinical diagnosis of a meniscal tear was discarded because of the results of the magnetic resonance imaging examination. Synovitis was diagnosed in 16 patients (13%), articular cartilage damage in 10 patients (8%), bone bruise injuries in 10 patients (8%), osteochondritis dissecans in 3 patients (2%), disruption of the inner layer of the medial collateral ligament in 3 patients (2%), and osteonecrosis in 1 patient. The use of magnetic resonance imaging in establishing diagnosis of disorders of the knee joint altered treatment in a significant proportion of patients. Magnetic resonance imaging should be done before arthroscopy of the knee in all cases in which the clinical diagnosis has been reduced to a suspected meniscus injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology, University Hospital of Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rangger
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klestil
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kathrein
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Inderster
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hamid
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D010008:Osteochondritis Dissecans / Q000175:diagnosis; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries