2015 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster #1316

Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 Relaxation Time Evaluation of Knee Cartilage: Comparison of Meniscus Intact or Injured Knees After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Shiyi Chen, MD, PhD, Prof., Shanghai CHINA
Hong Li, MD, Shanghai CHINA
Fudan University Sports Medicine Center, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, CHINA

FDA Status Not Applicable

Summary: The ACL-reconstructed knee with meniscectomy had cartilage degeneration at 2 years postoperatively, with higher cartilage T2 relaxation time value compared to the knees with intact meniscus. Medial meniscal injuries are a potential risk factor for progressive cartilage degeneration in ACL reconstructed knees.

Abstract:

Purpose

To evaluate and characterize the postoperative appearance of articular cartilage after different meniscal treatment in ACL reconstructed knees using T2 relaxation time evaluation and to examine the interrelationship between cartilage degeneration and meniscus abnormalities.

Methods

A total of consecutive 62 ACL reconstructed patients were recruited in this study, including 23 patients accepting partial meniscectomy (MS group), 21 patients accepting menisci repair (MR group) and 18 patients with intact menisci (MI group) at the time of surgery. Clinical examination was performed at the same day when the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination was performed, including subjective functional examinations score and physical examinations. MRI multi-echo sagittal images were segmented using Siemens software packages to determine the T2 relaxation time value of each meniscus and cartilage plate. Differences in each measurement were compared among groups.

Results

No patient had joint line tenderness or reported pain or clicking on McMurray test or instability. There was also no statistically significant difference in functional score among the three groups (p > 0.05). Cartilage T2 value of the MS group was significantly higher than that of the MI group (p < 0.01) in the medial femoral-tibial cartilage. Cartilage T2 value of the MR group was also significant higher than that of the MI group (p < 0.05) in the medial femorotibial cartilage, while there was no significant difference of cartilage T2 value between the MR group and the MS group (p > 0.05) in each cartilage plate. MT cartilage T2 value had a significant positive correlation with medial meniscus T2 value (rho=0.287; p = 0.024)

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the ACL-reconstructed knees with meniscectomy had cartilage degeneration at 2 years postoperatively, with higher cartilage T2 relaxation time value compared to the knees with intact meniscus. Medial meniscal injuries are a potential risk factor for progressive cartilage degeneration in ACL reconstructed knees.

Key words: MRI; ACL; Meniscal repair; Meniscectomy; Cartilage