title: Discoid meniscus: an ultrastructural study with transmission electron microscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ultrastructure of the normal menisci has been thoroughly investigated and found to correlate with meniscal tears. Although discoid menisci are accepted to have the same composition as their normal counterparts, to our knowledge, no study in the literature has investigated this issue.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the ultrastructure of the discoid menisci and compare it with nondiscoid menisci.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive laboratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Meniscal biopsies were taken from 12 patients who were operated for meniscus tear and diagnosed with discoid meniscus and from 6 patients who were operated for meniscal tear and did not have a diagnosis of discoid meniscus. The samples were examined with transmission electron microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study group demonstrated a decrease in the number of collagen fibers compared with the control group. Also, the homogeneous course of the collagen fibers observed in the control group was replaced by a heterogeneous course in the study group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ultrastructure of the discoid meniscus is different from the normal menisci.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This difference may contribute to the vulnerability of the discoid meniscus to tears.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. oaatay@hacettepe.edu.tr
authors.forename: Ozgur Ahmet
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Atay
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pekmezci
authors.forename: Mahmut Nedim
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Doral
authors.forename: Mustafa Fevzi
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Sargon
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ayvaz
authors.forename: Darren L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008875:Middle Aged; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D014481:United States