Usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging for detecting intrasubstance tear and/or degeneration of lateral discoid meniscus.

In order to determine the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for detection of intrasubstance tears or degeneration of the lateral discoid meniscus, we compared findings obtained with MRI with those of histological examination. Sixty-four symptomatic lateral discoid menisci were studied using MRI before surgical treatment. Of these, 18 (28%) met the criteria that MRI signals did not extend to the surface and that no visible tears were observable at arthroscopy. Findings of intrameniscal regions of high signal intensity and flattening in shape on MR images were found to represent intrasubstance tears or degeneration not detected at arthroscopy. Our findings thus demonstrate that MRI is more sensitive than arthroscopy in the detection of intrasubstance pathologies of the lateral discoid menisci.