DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN DIAGNOSING MENISCAL INJURIES IN RELATION TO KNEE ARTHROSCOPY

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in diagnosing meniscal injuries keeping knee arthroscopy as gold standard.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-Sectional Study

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in department of Orthopedic Surgery, Hayatabad Medical Complex, from January 2015 to January 2020. A total of 258 patients of knee injuries with tender medial joint line and positive Mc Murray test and tear on MRI were included. Magnetic Resonance Imaging performed within 6 months was compared with arthroscopic findings. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value and accuracy of MRI were calculated and analyzed.

RESULTS: In this study the mean age was 30± 1.35 years. Taking arthroscopic findings as gold standard, MRI has sensitivity 92%, specificity 75%, Positive predictive value was 99% and Negative Predictive Value was 23%. So the overall diagnostic accuracy was 91.47%.

CONCLUSION: MRI is an accurate tool to diagnose the knee meniscal tears, with sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 75%, and Positive predictive value of 99%.  

KEY WORDS: MRI, meniscal tear, knee arthroscopy.