Incidence and significance of demonstrating the meniscofemoral ligament onMRI

The aim was to evaluate how often MRI can detect the meniscofemoral ligamen t and if there is any relationship with the presence of lateral meniscal te ars. Sagittal and coronal MR images of 138 patients with arthroscopically p roven meniscal tears were included in this study. MR images were retrospect ively reviewed for the presence of a meniscofemoral ligament and a lateral meniscal tear. The chi(2) lest was used for statistical analysis. Either on e or both meniscofemoral ligaments were shown in 114 (83%) of 138 patients on MR images. In 61 cases with a lateral meniscal tear, the meniscofemoral ligament was present in 82% (50/61) and absent in 18% (11/61). In 77 cases without lateral meniscal tear, the meniscofemoral ligament was present in 8 3% (64/77) and absent in 17% (13/77). A significant correlation was not est ablished between the meniscofemoral ligament and lateral meniscal tear (p=0 .85).