Discoid meniscus: an ultrastructural study with transmission electron microscopy.
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.
Atay
Ozgur Ahmet
OA
Department of Orthopedics & Traumatology, Hacettepe University School of Medicine, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. oaatay@hacettepe.edu.tr
Pekmezci
Murat
M
Doral
Mahmut Nedim
MN
Sargon
Mustafa Fevzi
MF
Ayvaz
Mehmet
M
Johnson
Darren L
DL
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