The purpose of this study is to compare the diagnoses that had been made on the basis of magnetic resonance images of the knee with the finding at subsequent arthroscopy.
We evaluated the capability of MRI to serve as a diagnostic tool in patient who has been clinically suspected having disorders of the knee.
From June 1991, 125 patients who had knee problems studied by MRI, 58 knees were performed by arthroscopy. The accuracy of the diagnosis from image was 83% for the medial meniscus, 91% for the lateral meniscus.
In MRI, the characteristic abnormal findings of meniscal injuries were increased intensity of signals and irregular shape. For the intramenisfcal lesions, MRI was more accurate than arthroscopy.
The majority of lateral meniscal lesions were discoid meniscus. With MRI taken in full extended position of the knee, it was difficult to find the anterior horn lesions of the miniscus.
Also the diagnostic accuracy from image was 91% for the ACL, 88% for the PCL. It was very important to take MRI in 10 to 15 degrees exteranl rotated position for ACL lesion.
The magnetic image in microfracture or cyst were more accurate than arthroscopy. The large amount hemarthrosis masked the small tear of meniscus in MRI.
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