title: Prediction of reparability of isolated semilunar lateral meniscus tears by magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: Sixty-one menisci in 60 patients who underwent preoperative MRI and subsequent arthroscopic operation for symptomatic isolated semilunar lateral meniscus tears were evaluated. The MRI criterion of reparability was the presence of a longitudinal or oblique high signal intensity line within 3 mm meniscosynovial junction without a high signal intensity area in the meniscal body, and the criterion of irreparability was high signal intensity line greater than 5 mm from the meniscosynovial junction and/or abnormal high intensity area in the meniscal body. Perioperatively the menisci were repaired for longitudinal unstable tears located at the outer one-half and were excised for other type of tears. Consequently 30 menisci were repaired, and 31 menisci underwent menisectomy. Overall, MRI was useful for detecting the meniscus tears in 42 (69%). The accuracy and sensitivity of MRI in predicting reparability were 91% and 33%; for predicting irreparability the respective values were 90% and 90%. The findings of this retrospective study suggest that MRI is not always useful in predicting reparability of the symptomatic isolated lateral semilunar meniscus tears, and that the most symptomatic cases with normal MRI are reparable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthropedic Sports Medicine, Osaka Rosai Hospital, Nagasone-cho, Sakai, Osaka 591-8025, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiozaki
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Horibe
authors.forename: Tomoki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mitsuoka
authors.forename: Norimasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Yukiyoshi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Toritsuka
authors.forename: Konsei
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shino
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001182:Arthroscopy; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries