WORLD JOURNAL OF ADVANCE
HEALTHCARE RESEARCH

Mohammed T. Yahya*, Mohamed M. Naif, Odai H. Omar and Ali K. Mohialdeen

ABSTRACT

Background: MRI provides many advantages over other radiological diagnostic imaging modalities; such as superior soft tissue details particularly ligaments & cartilages, very low incidence of side effects, no radiation exposure so they can be safely used in pregnancy & children, direct multi-planer capabilities, no bone or air artifact and totally non-invasive. Objective: To assess role of MRI and its sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in the evaluation of meniscal lesions. Patients and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at the department of radiology in Iben Sena teaching hospital (MRI unit) during the period from October 2024 to the end of November 2024. Fifty patients (50knee) with suspected meniscal tear who were referred from orthopedic departments after full history and physical examination. Examination was performed on 1.5 Tesla SIEMENS – MAGNETOM Avanto. Super-conductive magnet with dedicated extremity coils (Quadrature coils) as both transmitter and receiver of radio frequency waves was applied. Results: The mean age of the studied group was 36.3. From the fifty patients, 29 were males (58%) and 21 were females (42%). trauma was the commonest causative mechanism of tear. 2 patients have isolated anterior horn tear while 7 patients have isolated anterior horn tear among lateral meniscus group with statistically significant difference (P= 0.02). From the other hand; 20 of medial meniscus group have isolated posterior horn tear and 6 of lateral meniscus group have isolated posterior horn tear with statistically significant difference (P<0.001). Knee joint effusion was found among 20 patients. the sensitivity of MRI in diagnosis of MM tear is (100%) which is better than the LM tear (86.7%). The specificity of MRI in the diagnosis of MM tear is (96.1%) compared to the LM tear (94.2%). The accuracy of MRI in the MM is (98%) and up to (92%) in the LM. The false negative occurs in the LM (13.3%) and no false negative occurs in the MM. The false positive occurs in the LM (5.7%) more than the MM (3.8 %). Conclusion: MRI of the knee in spite of few false positive and false negative results it shows an accurate result of highly significant of meniscal tear assisting in management decision.

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