Intensity of signal contacting meniscal surface in recurrent tears on MR arthrography compared with that of contrast material.

OBJECTIVE: Several previous studies reported that the signal contacting the meniscal surface in a recurrent tear on MR arthrography had intensity equal to that of intraarticular contrast material. Because we failed to diagnose recurrent tears using this criterion, we reviewed our knee MR arthrograms in patients who had prior meniscal surgery.
CONCLUSION: On knee MR arthrograms, the signal contacting the surface of a recurrent meniscal tear may be equal to or less than that of adjacent intraarticular gadolinium contrast material.