Correlation of arthroscopic and clinical examinations with magnetic resonance imaging findings of injured knees in children and adolescents.

This study evaluated the correlation among clinical diagnosis, magnetic resonance imaging reports, and arthroscopic findings in 28 patients aged 8 to 17 years (average, 14.4) with knee injuries. Meniscal, anterior cruciate ligament, and articular surface injuries were evaluated. A highly positive correlation (78.5%) was found between clinical and arthroscopic findings. A highly negative correlation was found between arthroscopic and magnetic resonance imaging findings (78.5%) and between clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings (75%). In this series, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity data were much more favorable from clinical examination than from magnetic resonance imaging. Overall, magnetic resonance imaging diagnoses added little guidance to patient management and at times provided spurious information.