Magnetic resonance imaging of the internally deranged knee joint A preliminary local experience

ABSTRACT

To determine the validity of magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] as a diagnostic modality in the internally deranged knee joint, and to evaluate the effectiveness of MRI in reducing the number of diagnostic arthoscopies. Design: A retrospective study was conducted on two groups of patients with internal derangement of the knee joint. All were arthroscoped before and after the installation of the MRI machine. Setting: King Fahd University Hospital [KFUH], Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. Subjects: Group 1 of 63 cases who underwent knee arthroscopy after MRI examination was compared to group 2 of 57 knees who satisfied the same inclusion criteria, but were scoped during the period before installation of the MRI machine. The accuracy values of MRI for the internally deranged knee at our hospital were moderate, and there was no significant difference between the number of diagnostic arthroscopies that were not followed by further surgical procedures in the two groups. Interpretation and These observations indicate that currently our MRI equipment needs improvement and development of new techniques. Awareness of the limitations and indications of this diagnostic modality in the internally deranged knee are warranted