Laura Watson MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Allen Prober MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

S Paran Yap BA, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Jeffrey B. Driban PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Tyler L Skaife MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Robert J. Ward MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the heterogeneity in the classification of meniscal tear morphologies between orthopedists and radiologists, and whether this has lead to confusion when interpreting MRI reports. To determine orthopedic support forimplementing a specific validated classification system for MRI reporting.

3032 surveys were emailed to members of the Arthroscopic Association of North America. The survey included questions on specific tear morphologies with illustrated examples, signal classification, tear localization, frequency of confusion in reading other radiologists reports, and on the importance of standardization. 860 surveys including the same 6 questions on specific tear morphologies with illustrated examples were emailed to members of the Society of Skeletal Radiology . Chi-square analysis was used to compare meniscal tear morphology nomenclature between radiologists and orthopedists on each of the six meniscal tear illustrations.

401 orthopedists responded (13%) while 250 radiologists (29%) responded to a separate but similar survey. Chi-square analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in descriptions of five out of the six morphologic tear types between orthopedists and radiologists. While 61% of orthopedists stated that meniscal tear morphology nomenclature on knee MRI reports was important to them, nearly 70% of the responders reported being confused by descriptions of tear morphology at least some of the time with MRI reports from radiologists within their institution/practice; this number increased to 85% when reading reports from outside radiologists. The responding orthopedists overwhelmingly (91%) favored the adoption of ISAKOS tear morphology on knee MRI reports.

Nearly two-thirds of responding orthopedists indicated that description of tear morphology on knee MRI reports is important to them; however, the differences in description of meniscal tear morphology between orthopedists and radiologists was statistically significant in five of the six provided illustrations. There was overwhelming support by the surveyed orthopedists for implementation of the ISAKOS classification system by radiologists for meniscal tear reporting on MR reports.

Lack of standardization has led to MR report confusion with respect to meniscal tear morphology. There is support in the orthopedic community for radiologic report standardization.

Watson, L, Prober, A, Yap, S, Driban, J, Skaife, T, Ward, R, Discordance between Radiologists and Orthopedists in Meniscal Tear Morphology Nomenclature: Orthopedic Support for Implementing a Validated MRI Standard.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14045623.html