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

Abstract EN

Objectives: 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 arthroscopies.

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.

Results: The accuracy values of MRI for the internally 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 Conclusion: 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.

Bahrain Med Bull 1996;18(1): Many believe magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be the best diagnostic tool for evaluation of the internally deranged knee1-4.

Some have even suggested that MRI may reduce the number of unnecessary arthroscopies6.

However different centres report conflicting results in the accuracy of imaging of the menisci and cruciate ligaments5 .