MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF KNEE INJURIES IN CHILDREN

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the significance of meniscal appearances and determine the frequency of abnormalities seen on magn etic resonance (MR) imaging in children with knee injuries. We reviewe d 78 consecutive MR imaging studies of 74 children aged 5-16 years wit h unfused epiphyses. Menisci were evaluated using conventional grading techniques. We used chi(2) to compare the frequencies of medial and l ateral meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears with each o ther and with published data for children. Similarly, we compared the proportions of tears of these structures with published data. Arthrosc opy results from 26 children were used to calculate sensitivity and sp ecificity of MR imaging for meniscal tears, which were 100 % (8/8) and 89 % (16/18), respectively. The majority of studies (82 %) had grade I or II signal intensity in one or both menisci. Arthroscopy results a vailable in 33 % of this group revealed normal menisci. Tears of the m edial and lateral menisci were significantly more common than of the A CL. Injuries of the ACL were seen significantly less frequently than p reviously reported. Grade I or II meniscal signal intensity in childre n with knee injuries is consistent with a normal meniscus. Tears of th e menisci are more common than ACL tears. MR imaging in this context a ppears reliable.