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J Knee Surg 2018; 31(02): 166-183
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1620251
Special Focus Section
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Diagnosing Meniscal Pathology and Understanding How to Evaluate a Postoperative Meniscus Based on the Operative Procedure

Monica Tafur
1   Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, University Health Network, Sinai Health System and Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2   Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Linda Probyn
3   Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
4   Postgraduate Medical Education, Admissions and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Jaskarndip Chahal
5   Department of Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, University of Toronto Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Program at Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
,
Lawrence M. White
1   Joint Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, University Health Network, Sinai Health System and Women's College Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2   Department of Medical Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

18 September 2017

19 December 2017

Publication Date:
12 January 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents the preferred noninvasive imaging technique to diagnose meniscal pathology in the pre- and postoperative setting. Furthermore, characterization of meniscal tissue MR properties has been possible by the development of advanced MRI techniques. Suspected meniscal tears are a frequent indication for MRI and the International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS) classification system has been developed to facilitate accurate and uniform reporting of such meniscal tears. Partial meniscectomy and meniscal suture repair are among the commonly performed procedures and several signs have been described to detect postoperative recurrent tears on MRI. Other techniques that have proven useful for meniscal assessment are ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) arthrography. In recent years, US is being increasingly used in the selective assessment of some meniscal pathology such as tears, parameniscal cysts and meniscal extrusion as it is a relatively inexpensive, accessible, and safe technique. CT arthrography has been advocated as an acceptable alternative in patients with contraindications for MRI, with comparable diagnostic performance.

Keywords

magnetic resonance imaging - ultrasound - meniscus - meniscal tears - postoperative
 

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