title: Meniscal tear configurations: categorization with MR imaging.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of MR imaging for categorizing the configuration of meniscal tears of the knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fast spin-echo MR images obtained at 1.5 T from 110 patients who had meniscal tears identified at arthroscopy were retrospectively and independently classified by two reviewers into five configurations: horizontal, longitudinal, radial, oblique, and complex. MR imaging categorization was compared with arthroscopic results as the standard of reference. Data were also analyzed with longitudinal and oblique tears combined because these usually are reparable, and with horizontal, radial, and complex tears combined because these usually are not reparable. Interobserver and intraobserver agreements were calculated using kappa coefficients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At arthroscopy, meniscal tears were categorized as horizontal (n = 44), longitudinal (n = 34), complex (n = 22), radial (n = 11), and oblique (n = 5). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of each reviewer for the reparable tears were 82%, 92%, and 89%; and 59%, 97%, and 84%, respectively. Interobserver agreements were fair between reviewer 1 and the first and second interpretations of reviewer 2 (kappa = 0.25, p < 0.005; and kappa = 0.21, p < 0.05, respectively). Intraobserver agreement was substantial (kappa = 0.71, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MR imaging was accurate for predicting reparable meniscal tears and was sensitive for the determination of nonreparable tears.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The Catholic University of Korea, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, 505 Banpo-Dong, Seocho-Ku, 137-701 Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Won-Hee
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Jee
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: McCauley
authors.forename: Jung-Man
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dong-Jin
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Jun
authors.forename: Young-Joon
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Byung-Gil
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Kyu-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries