MR diagnosis of meniscal tears of the knee: importance of high signal in the meniscus that extends to the surface.

Abstract

We found definite patterns in the location of intrameniscal signal that comes in contact with the meniscal surface. These patterns vary in the frequency of associated meniscal tears. Although menisci with internal signal in contact with the surface are usually torn, a tear is less likely if such signal is present on only one image. Tears may be identifiable on only one image plane. Tears in the anterior horn of the lateral meniscus are not uncommon. Knowledge of these patterns should help in the MR diagnosis of meniscal tears.