Daekeon Lim MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Young Han Lee MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ho-Taek Song MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sungjun Kim, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jin-Suck Suh MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

The purpose of our study was to assess the diagnostic value of iso–volumetric 3D fat suppressed VISTA sequence in detecting the radial tear and root tear of the meniscus, especially in reformatted axial plane.

Fifteen patients with arthroscopically confirmed radial tear or root tear of meniscus underwent MRI with conventional 2D sequences and iso–volumetric 3D fat suppressed VISTA sequence. The MR images were retrospectively reviewed for identification of meniscal tears by two musculoskeletal radiologists blinded to arthroscopic findings independently. Sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver agreement were calculated for all meniscal tears. Two radiologists reported a confidence level for the presence or absence of meniscal tear in axial plane of 2D sequence and reformatted axial plane made from iso–volumetric 3D fat suppressed VISTA sequence based on a 5-point scale: 1, completely uncertain of tear; 2, small likelihood of tear; 3, equivocal for tear; 4, probable tear, and 5, very certain of tear. Wilcoxon’s signed rank test was used to compare confidence levels.

Sensitivities and specificities on iso–volumetric 3D fat suppressed VISTA versus 2D sequence were as follows: 100% and 93% versus 100% and 100% in reader 1, 100% and 87% versus 100% and 100% in reader 2. Interobserver agreement for detecting meniscal tear was excellent (κ = 1) in iso–volumetric 3D fat suppressed VISTA sequence. The mean confidence level was significantly higher in reformatted axial plane made from iso–volumetric 3D fat suppressed VISTA than conventional 2D sequence; 4.06 versus 2.86 (P = 0.03) in detecting meniscal root tears and radial tears.

Compared to conventional 2D sequence, iso–volumetric 3D fat suppressed VISTA has more valuable diagnostic sequence in evaluating radial and root meniscal tear. User-reformatted axial plane made from iso–volumetric 3D fat suppressed VISTA is more valuable in detecting radial and root tear of meniscus.

Accurate assessemnt of locaion, extent of tear lesion of meniscus can help in making  treatment plan in meniscal root and radial tear patients.

Lim, D, Lee, Y, Song, H, Kim, S, Suh, J, Iso–volumetric 3D Fat Suppressed VISTA Sequence in Evaluating Radial Tear and Root Tear of the Meniscus.  Radiological Society of North America 2012 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2012 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2012/12028363.html