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1
Department of Radiology, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc,
Université Catholique de Louvain, 10 Ave.
Hippocrate, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
2
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc,
Université Catholique de Louvain, 1200
Brussels, Belgium.
Received June 12, 2000;
accepted after revision August 24, 2000.
Address correspondence to B. C. Vande Berg.
Abstract
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MATERIALS AND METHODS. Criteria for unstable meniscal lesions were the presence of a displaced meniscal fragment, visibility on more than three 3-mm-thick coronal and two 4-mm-thick sagittal images, having more than one orientation plane or more than one pattern (contour irregularity, peripheral separation, tear), and having intrameniscal high signal intensity on T2-weighted spin-echo images. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for recognition of instability among all meniscal lesions were determined for the presence of each individual criterion and for the presence of at least one criterion in 50 consecutive patients (mean age, 46 years) who underwent MR imaging and subsequent arthroscopy.
RESULTS. Sensitivities and specificities of these four criteria ranged between 18% and 54% and between 94% and 100%, respectively. Positive and negative predictive values ranged between 92% and 100% and between 39% and 52%, respectively. The presence of at least one criterion enabled recognition of unstable lesions with a sensitivity and specificity of 82% and with positive and negative predictive values of 90% and 70%, respectively.
CONCLUSION. The four MR imaging criteria have high specificities and positive predictive values and low sensitivities and negative predictive values when evaluating unstable meniscal lesions.
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The ability of MR imaging to detect meniscal lesions has been extensively studied. Little attention has been given to the preoperative determination of meniscal lesion stability using MR imaging. A high positive predictive value of MR imaging to recognize unstable meniscal lesions would mean that MR imaging could help recognize patients who are most likely to benefit from surgery.
To the best of our knowledge, no established MR imaging criteria for unstable meniscal lesions exist. Theoretically, these criteria should be based on the presence of a displaced meniscal fragment and on lesion shape, size, and signal, as proposed by Carpenter et al. [7]. The purpose of our study was to define and assess the value of four MR imaging criteria for recognizing unstable meniscal lesions.
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MR Imaging
Thirty-four MR imaging studies were performed using a 0.5-T magnet (.5 NT;
Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands), and 16 MR imaging studies
were performed using a 1.5-T magnet (Signa; General Electric Medical Systems,
Milwaukee, WI) with dedicated phased array quadrature knee coils. The imaging
system used was randomly selected depending on the examination schedule.
Patients were imaged in the conventional supine position. With the 0.5-T
magnet, the following protocols were used: coronal spin-echo T1-weighted
(TR/TE, 509/20) and gradient-echo T2*-weighted (800/28, 45°
flip angle) sequences; parasagittal dual-echo spin-echo intermediate- and
T2-weighted (TR/first-echo TE, second-echo TE, 2670/14,120) sequences; and
axial gradient-echo T2-weighted (1000/28, 45° flip angle) sequences.
Fields of view were 140 mm for coronal sequences and 160 mm for sagittal and
axial sequences. Matrix size was 192 x 256. Numbers of signal
acquisitions were four for coronal T1-weighted sequences, two for gradientecho
sequences, and one for parasagittal dual-echo sequences. Slice thickness was 3
mm for coronal and axial images and 4 mm for parasagittal images, with a 0.1
slice thickness interval.
With the 1.5-T magnet, the following protocols were used: coronal spin-echo T1-weighted (520/15) and gradient-echo T2*-weighted (800/25, 30° flip angle) sequences; parasagittal fast spin-echo intermediate-weighted (3000/25) and T2-weighted (3000/120) sequences; and axial gradient-echo T2*-weighted (800/25, 30° flip angle) sequences. Slice thickness was 3 mm for coronal and axial images and 4 mm for parasagittal images, with a 0.1 slice thickness interval. Fields of view were 180 mm for parasagittal sequences and 160 mm for coronal and axial sequences. Matrix size was 364 x 512. Two acquisitions were used for all sequences.
Image Analysis
A musculoskeletal radiologist with 9 years' experience who was unaware of
the arthroscopic findings reviewed the 50 MR imaging studies to determine the
presence or absence of meniscal lesions, including contour irregularity,
peripheral separation, and tear. Contour irregularity was defined as an
altered meniscus shape with truncation, blunting, flattening, or rounding of
the inner borders on coronal T1- or T2*-weighted or sagittal
intermediate- or T2-weighted MR images. Peripheral meniscus separation was
defined by the presence of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images between
the meniscus and the capsule. Meniscal tear was defined as an abnormal
intrameniscal signal that extended to the articulating surface of the meniscus
on more than one coronal T2*-weighted or sagittal intermediate- or
T2-weighted MR image. Questionable extension of abnormal signal to the free
meniscal surface when viewed on only a single image was not reported as a tear
[8,
9]. Meniscal lesions were
identified as involving the medial or lateral menisci.
The same musculoskeletal radiologist determined the presence or absence of each of the following four MR imaging criteria that were adapted from the initial proposal of Carpenter et al. [7]. Criteria for unstable meniscal lesions were the presence of a displaced meniscal fragment; visibility on more than three 3-mm-thick coronal and two 4-mm-thick sagittal images; having more than one orientation plane or more than one pattern (contour irregularity, peripheral separation, tear); and having intrameniscal high signal intensity on T2-weighted spin-echo images. A displaced meniscal fragment consisted of a fragment that had lost its anatomic location and was found in the intercondylar notch or in a meniscal recess [2, 10, 11]. The presence of a displaced meniscal fragment was considered to indicate an unstable lesion.
Lesion size was determined by counting the number of contiguous coronal gradient-echo T2*-weighted or sagittal intermediate-weighted MR images on which contour abnormality, peripheral separation, or tear were seen at the meniscal surface. Lesions that were visible on more than two 4-mm-thick sagittal and more than three 3-mm-thick coronal images were considered unstable.
Lesion shape was determined by noting the presence of one or more of the three lesion patterns just described (contour irregularity, peripheral meniscus separation, and meniscal tear) and the different cleavage plane orientations within the meniscus on coronal T2*-weighted or sagittal intermediate-weighted MR images. Lesions that included more than one lesion pattern or more than one cleavage plane orientation in the same meniscal area were considered unstable. The presence of more than one lesion pattern or more than one cleavage plane orientation that were not in continuity with one another was not considered to indicate an unstable lesion.
Lesion signal intensity was determined on spinecho T2-weighted MR images. The presence of high signal intensity identical to that of joint fluid in the meniscus on T2-weighted images was considered to indicate an unstable lesion. High signal intensity adjacent to the meniscus caused by a meniscal cyst was not considered indicative of instability.
Size, shape, and signal intensity of the meniscal lesions were determined within the meniscus, and the presence of a displaced meniscal fragment was not taken into account for determination of these parameters.
Arthroscopy
All knee arthroscopy was performed by two orthopedic surgeons of our
institution after a mean delay of 11.8 weeks (range, 1-30 weeks) after MR
imaging. MR studies were available to surgeons on films. Original reports made
by three radiologists, including the one who retrospectively reviewed the MR
studies of the knees that underwent surgery, included descriptions of meniscal
lesions and of displaced meniscal fragments. Initial reports by the three
radiologists did not mention the precise extent, shape, or signal of the
lesions and did not determine whether lesions were considered stable or
unstable.
At the time of arthroscopy, meniscal lesion patterns, including contour irregularities, peripheral separations, and tears, were noted on charts. Drawings that showed the location and configuration of all meniscal abnormalities were made. Meniscal lesions were considered unstable if they were displaced or if mobile meniscal fragments were found at inspection and palpation during arthroscopy, according to standard criteria [2]. Meniscal lesions without flaps or displaced fragments were considered stable.
Statistics
Operative notes and drawings were used as the gold standard for determining
meniscal integrity and meniscal lesion stability. Sensitivity, specificity,
and positive and negative predictive values with 95% confidence intervals for
the detection of meniscal lesions were calculated. Sensitivity, specificity,
and positive and negative predictive values for detecting unstable lesions
among all lesions were calculated for each of the four MR imaging criteria.
Finally, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values
for detecting unstable lesions among all lesions were calculated for the
presence of at least one of the four criteria. Lesions that were missed at MR
imaging were considered stable.
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Displaced Meniscal Fragment
Seven medial and five lateral meniscal fragments were observed in the
intercondylar space (n = 9) or in the medial inframeniscal recess
(n = 3) (Fig.
1A,1B,1C).
The presence of a displaced meniscal fragment had sensitivity and specificity
for the detection of an unstable tear of 36% and 94%, respectively, with
positive and negative predictive values of 92% and 43%, respectively.
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Lesion Size
Fifteen medial and three lateral meniscal lesions were visible on more than
three T2*-weighed coronal and two intermediate-weighted sagittal MR
images. The presence of lesion visibility on more than three
T2*-weighted coronal and two intermediate-weighted sagittal MR
images had a sensitivity and specificity for the detection of an unstable
lesion of 54% and 94%, respectively, with positive and negative predictive
values of 95% and 52%, respectively.
Lesion Shape
Fourteen medial and one lateral meniscal lesions consisted of more than one
lesion pattern or more than one cleavage plane (Figs.
1A,1B,1C
and
2A,2B,2C,2D).
The presence of more than one lesion pattern or more than one cleavage plane
in the same meniscal area had a sensitivity and a specificity for the
detection of an unstable lesion of 45% and 94%, respectively, with positive
and negative predictive values of 94% and 47%, respectively.
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Lesion Signal Intensity
Six medial and no lateral meniscal lesions displayed intrameniscal high
signal intensity on T2-weighted images
(Fig. 3). The presence of high
signal intensity in the medial or lateral meniscus had a sensitivity and
specificity for the detection of an unstable lesion of 18% and 100%,
respectively, with positive and negative predictive values of 100% and
39%.
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Presence of Any MR Imaging Criterion
Twenty-one of 23 medial and six of 10 lateral menisci had at least one MR
imaging criterion indicative of instability and corresponded to an unstable
tear at arthroscopy. Two medial and four lateral menisci without MR imaging
criteria for instability were found to be unstable at arthroscopy. Sensitivity
and specificity of the presence of at least one MR imaging criterion
indicative of instability in medial and lateral menisci were both 82%, with
positive and negative predictive values of 90% and 70%, respectively
(Table 3).
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The high negative predictive value of MR imaging in recognizing meniscal lesions has taken on an important clinical significance with the possibility of conservative management of patients with clinically suspected meniscal lesions and negative results on MR imaging [12,13,14]. The positive predictive value of 90% for MR imaging in recognizing instability among all meniscal lesions that was shown in our study further increases the clinical role of MR imaging because it implies that MR imaging could help select patients with meniscal abnormalities who have unstable lesions that are more likely to benefit from surgery.
Our study aimed at validating MR imaging criteria for unstable meniscal lesions. First, the presence of a displaced meniscal fragment at MR imaging was considered direct evidence of an unstable lesion. In the literature, sensitivity in the detection of displaced meniscal fragments on MR imaging was initially low [10, 15] and increased progressively with experience [7, 11, 16]. The fact that one fragment observed at MR imaging was associated with a stable lesion at arthroscopy could result from false-positive or false-negative findings at MR imaging or at arthroscopy, respectively.
Second, lesion visibility on more than two 4-mm-thick sagittal and three 3-mm-thick coronal images corresponded to a lesion extent greater than 10 mm. This value was selected in agreement with the initial proposal of Carpenter et al. [7] and corresponded to the cutoff value used at arthroscopy to characterize unstable lesions [4, 17].
Third, lesion number was taken into account instead of lesion shape because exact fissure plane orientation was difficult to recognize. Lesion instability was recognized if more than one cleavage plane or more than one lesion pattern, including contour irregularity, peripheral meniscal separation, and meniscal tear, was found in the same meniscal area. Actually, oblique or "parrot-beak" tears that are the most frequent unstable meniscal lesions can be decomposed into focal contour irregularity because of meniscal substance loss or a radial or oblique tear at the meniscus free edge and longitudinal tear [5, 10]. A nondisplaced meniscal flap can be difficult to recognize on MR images. However, parrot-beak tears with a nondisplaced meniscal flap probably cause a lesion with multiple lesion patterns or plane orientations.
Finally, the presence of fluidlike signal intensity in the meniscus on T2-weighted images also indicated unstable meniscal lesions. The presence of high signal intensity on T2-weighted images is a highly specific but poorly sensitive sign for a meniscal lesion [18]. The presence of intrameniscal high signal intensity on T2-weighted images likely occurred only in meniscal lesions in which torn edges were moderately separated and thus unstable, with subsequent accumulation of articular fluid in the large cleavage plane.
Our study concluded that arthroscopy should not be performed in knees with meniscal lesions that lack MR imaging criteria for an unstable tear because the sensitivity and negative predictive value of the MR imaging criteria are relatively low. These criteria need to be refined to increase their sensitivity. Inter- and intraobserver reproducibility also need to be determined.
Our purpose was not to determine with MR imaging whether the meniscal lesions were repairable because no lesions in this series were sutured. Neither did we correlate the meniscal lesion patterns on MR imaging with the arthroscopic findings because this correlation needs precise surgical data that were not available.
The results of our study are limited by the imaging technique and the study design. First, coronal and sagittal imaging planes were used for lesion analysis. The performance of submillimetric axial imaging could have enhanced the results by providing better delineation of radial or oblique lesion components with subsequent direct visualization of parrot-beak tears and meniscal flaps, as previously shown [10, 19,20,21]. Second, we analyzed the MR studies that were obtained using mid (0.5-T) or high field strength (1.5-T) without taking into account field strength difference because of its lack of influence on MR imaging accuracy for meniscal tear detection [10, 22]. The influence of field strength cannot be excluded in assessing meniscal lesion stability. Third, selection bias existed in our study because only MR imaging studies from patients who underwent arthroscopy were retrospectively reviewed by a radiologist who knew that these patients had undergone surgery. Patients with negative findings on MR imaging or with subtle lesions probably did not undergo surgery and could be a group of potential false-negative findings on MR imaging. However, the two false-negative results on MR imaging were stable lesions at arthroscopy, and the five false-positive results at MR imaging showed no MR criteria for instability. Finally, other criteria independent of meniscal MR imaging appearance, including age of the patient and associated ligament lesions that could influence lesion stability [1, 3,4,5,6, 23], were not taken into account.
In conclusion, MR imaging criteria for unstable meniscal lesions that are based on the presence of a displaced meniscal fragment and on determination of meniscal lesion extent, shape, and signal intensity have a high specificity and a high positive predictive value for the recognition of instability among all meniscal lesions. These criteria remain to be assessed in prospective clinical studies.
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