Comparative study between magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and arthroscopy in evaluation of curciate and menisical injuries of the knee

ABSTRACT

Over a period of one year 42 patients with knee joints trauma were evaluated by MRI and arthroscopy. The study was performed at Radiology Department and cases were referred from Orthopedics Department, Assiut University Hospital. Fourty patients were males and 2 were females. The age of the patients ranged from 19 to 48 years with mean age 29.3 years All the patients had a history of trauma to the knee joint and they were presented with joint pain, swelling, clicking or sense of instability. MRI and arthroscopy were done for all patients. Correlation of the findings of MRI and arthroscopy were done in all cases. The arthroscopic diagnosis was positive in 39 cases and negative in 3 cases. The positive cases include 18 cases of ACL, 5 cases of PCL tears, 8 MM tears and 8 LM tears. The MR was positive in 42 cases. These include 18 cases of ACL tears. 5 cases of PCL tears, 10 cases MM tears and 9 cases LM tears. Both MRI and arthroscopy have the same results in diagnosis of ACL, PCL tears, but they differ in the diagnosis of some cases of meniscal tears where arthroscopy is more accurate. We concluded that MRI is accurate in the diagnosis of cruciate and meniscal injuries of the knee and its accuracy should decrease the need for arthroscopy as a diagnostic tool and direct its use for therapeutic use