Diagnosis of Meniscal Tear of the Knee Using Proton-weighted Fast Spin-Echo MR Imaging: Can be an Alternative to Conventional Spin-Echo Imaging?

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of proton-weighted fast spin-echo MR imaging in diagnosing the meniscal tear of knee as an reasonable substitute for conventional spin-echo imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 102 consecutive patients, proved by surgery, were participated in this study. All of them were suspected internal derangement of knee, examined by fast spin-echo MR imaging including sagittal and coronal images on a 1.5T MR imager and underwent arthroscopic or open surgery of knee joint within 2 months. These images were reviewed retrospectively by three radiologists. The sensitivity and specificity of meniscal tear were calculated. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of meniscal tear reviewed by proton-weighted fast spin-echo MR imaging were 94%, 93% in medial meniscus and 92%, 88% in lateral meniscus. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity and specificity of meniscal tear using proton weighted fast-spin echo MR images were as high as those using conventional spin-echo MR imaging in diagnosing meniscal tear of the knee.