HIGH-RESOLUTION 3-D IMAGING WITH MR OF TH E KNEE - CORRELATION WITH ARTHROSCOPY

84 knee joints were examined by a 3-dimensional MR method and the resu lts correlated with subsequent arthroscopy. The findings showed good d emonstration of the normal anatomical structures and excellent reliabi lity for the diagnosis of meniscus tears (sensitivity 91%, specificity 95%), cruciate ligament lesions (sensitivity 90%, specificity 99%) an d serious cartilage damage(sensitivity 100%, specificity 100%). Demons tration of mild cartilage damage (sensitivity 60%, specificity 99%) wa s better than with a spin echo technique but is not yet optimal. It is concluded that, by using a 3-dimensional technique, time-consuming sp in echo sequences can be abandoned. Significant advantages of the 3-D method are the speed of the examination, narrow section thickness, mar ked flexibility in contrast rendering and the ability for multiplanar reconstruction.