How is a torn meniscus identified on MRI?

They are diagnosed on MRI by the presence of a vertical line of increased signal intensity contacting the superior, inferior, or both surfaces of the meniscus (Fig. 16).

What kind of MRI is used for meniscus tear?

MRI. With a sensitivity of ~95% and a specificity of 81% for medial meniscal tears and sensitivity of ~85% and a specificity of 93% for lateral meniscal tears 2,5, MRI is the modality of choice when a meniscal tear is suspected, with sagittal images being the most sensitive 5.

What are the three zones of the meniscus?

The meniscus is divided into three zones: the red-red, the red-white and the white-white. The zones are divided by vascularization and thus healing potential. The red-red zone is the peripheral zone of the meniscus.

Will torn meniscus show on MRI?

MRI gives a good picture of the size of a meniscus tear and where it is. It also shows ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. MRIs of the knee are helpful to identify a meniscus tear and to find any related injuries to the ligament, cartilage, and tendons.

What are the white spots on a knee MRI?

A radiologist will review your knee MRI scans and give the results to your doctor. MRI images are black and white. Abnormalities may appear as bright white spots. These indicate areas where the contrast dye has collected due to enhanced cell activity.

What does white mean in knee MRI?

An MR image would depict a tear of the knee’s meniscus (knee joint’s surface) as a white mark on the meniscus. A healthy meniscus normally appears as a small, totally black triangle on specific types of MR images. The white mark shown is typically fluid that has collected in the tiny tear.

What is the red zone in a meniscus tear?

The vascular portion is called the “red zone” due to the presence of capillaries in the meniscal tissue. The avascular portion is called the “white zone” due to its absence of blood supply. Red zone tears have the potential to heal and white zone tears will likely never heal.

What is bright white on knee MRI?

Can a meniscus tear be misdiagnosed?

Misdiagnosis is common with root tears because they lack some of the typical hallmarks of meniscus injury: locking or catching of the knee or a sudden giving way. “It’s not that hard to find the injury,” Faucett says, “but until the past few years, there’s been little awareness of it, so physicians don’t look for it.”

What shows up as white on MRI?

Small strokes are the most common cause of white spots on a brain MRI. Small strokes are often caused by blockages of small blood vessels due to high blood pressure and/or diabetes. Large strokes are usually caused by heart disease or carotid artery disease.

How do you read a meniscus tear?

The best view to determine radial meniscus tears is the axial view. As you reach the center of the joint you can see a cut right through the center of the joint. The evidence of fluid indicates there is a complete disruption, which is a radial tear of the anterior aspect of the lateral meniscus.

What does bright white mean on knee MRI?

What can mimic a medial meniscus tear?

Common extra-articular pathologies that can mimic lateral meniscal tears include iliotibial band syndrome, proximal tibiofibular joint instability, snapping biceps femoris or popliteus tendons, and peroneal nerve compression syndrome or neuritis.

Which zone heals best in meniscal tear repair?

Tears at the outer edge of the meniscus (the red zone) tend to heal well. Blood supply to tears that extend into the center of the meniscus (white zone) is questionable, and surgical repair of a tear in this zone may not heal well.