Eric Georges Pessis MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Jean Luc Drapé, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Antoine A. Feydy MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Fabienne Bach MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Henri Guerini MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Alain Chevrot MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of cartilage lesions with tears of the medial meniscal root.

A total of 952 knee MR imaging (n=760) and CT-arthrography (192) reports over a 1-year period were retrospectively reviewed from an electronic database, for the presence of tear of the medial meniscal root (n=89). Examinations in which the report stated postoperative menisci were excluded (n=48). Cartilage lesions of the inner third of the posterior medial femoral condyle in front of the posterior root were recorded.

During the study period, there were 89 tears involving the medial meniscal root (9.5%). Cartilage lesions localized in the inner third of the posterior medial femoral condyle (in front of the posterior root of the medial meniscus) were found in 64% (n=57) of the cases with lesion of the posterior root. Conversely, cartilage lesions were found in 11% (n=92) of the cases with no lesions of the medial meniscal root (n=863). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05. Fisher test). Meniscal lesions with a radial tear combined with horizontal cleavage were found in 39 cases (4%), with cartilage lesions localized in the inner third of the posterior medial femoral condyle, in 28 cases. Radial tears were found in 32 cases (3.5%), with cartilage lesions in localized in the inner third of the posterior medial femoral condyle 25 cases. Horizontal tears were found in 18 cases (2%) and associated with cartilage lesions in localized in the inner third of the posterior medial femoral condyle in 4 cases. Horizontal tear of the medial meniscal root involved the entire posterior horn of the meniscus in all the cases.

Contrary to arthroscopic study injuries of the medial meniscal root are not uncommon with MRI and CT-arthrography. Cartilage breakdown localized in the inner third of the posterior medial femoral condyle are more frequent in case of lesion of the medial meniscal root.

Pessis, E, Drapé, J, Feydy, A, Bach, F, Guerini, H, Chevrot, A, Tear of the Medial Meniscal Root: Associated Cartilage Lesions with CT-Arthrography and MRI.  Radiological Society of North America 2005 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 27 - December 2, 2005 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2005/4420228.html