MRI FINDINGS IN THE MENISCI IN ASYMPTOMAT IC SUBJECTS

In 82 asymptomatic subjects aged 8-62 years we evaluated the menisci b y MRI [1.0 tesla; SE (spin-echo) 700/20, PS (partial saturation) 500/1 0, STIR (Short-Time-Inversion-Recovery-Sequence) 1600/130/301. The men iscus was graded by means of a standard classification (grades 0-4). I n SE sequences we found grade 0 in 45.5% of all cases, grade 1 in 33.2 %, grade 2 in 16.1%, grade 3 in 4.5%, and grade 4 in 0.7%. In PS seque nces we found grade 0 in 23.9%, grade 1 in 27.5%, grade 2 in 31.5%, gr ade 3 in 15.9%, and grade 4 in 1.1%. In STIR sequences we found grade 0 in 56%, grade 1 in 25.4%, grade 2 in 11.1%, grade 3 in 6%, and grade 4 in 1.6%. Correlation of meniscus degeneration with subjects' age sh owed relation of meniscus degeneration with subjects' age showed an in crease of grade 3 and grade 4 lesions with advancing age. Subjects old er than 50 years presented grade 3 and 4 lesions in the SE sequence in 28.5% of the cases, in PS sequences in 40.7% of the cases, and in STI R sequences in 25% of the cases. MRI shows meniscal lesions in a signi ficant proportion of asymptomatic patients, especially among subjects older than 50 years. The orthopedic surgeon has to test whether the cl inical findings in patients with knee complaints coincide with the res ults of MRI.