2017 ISAKOS Biennial Congress ePoster #213

 

Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging T2 Mapping of Cartilage after Arthroscopic Meniscal Surgery for Discoid Lateral Meniscus

Yohei Nishida, MD, Osaka JAPAN
Yusuke Hashimoto, MD, PhD, Sennan-Gun, Osaka JAPAN
Hiroaki Nakamura, MD, PhD JAPAN

Osaka city university hospital, Osaka, Osaka, JAPAN

FDA Status Not Applicable

Summary

The T2 values of posterior sub-compartment of lateral femoral condyle were higher at 3 and 6 months after reshaping surgery for discoid lateral meniscus. It is generally believed that loss of meniscal tissue leads to osteoarthritis and poor knee function, this results suggested that arthroscopic meniscus preserving surgery affects the biochemical composition of articular cartilage by 6 months.

Abstract

Objectives: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2 mapping has been shown in the articular cartilage to correlate with collagen fiber orientation and water content. It has been established for detection of early chondral damage. It has been reported that partial resection of the medial meniscus elevated the T2 values of contact areas of tibial cartilage. However, to our knowledge, MRI T2 mapping for discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) has not been well established. The aim of this study were to evaluate the articular cartilage before and after arthroscopic operation for DLM.

Methods

Quantitative assessment of the articular cartilage was performed in 13 DLM patients. Mean of the age was 13.3 years. Five patients underwent arthroscopic meniscus saucerization and eight patients underwent arthroscopic meniscus saucerization and repair. 3.0-T MRI was used for T2 mapping. MRI was performed before and 3, 6 and 12 months after operation. We measured the T2 values of weight-bearing lateral femoral condyle (LFC) and lateral tibia (LT). The LFC were divided into three regional sub-compartments (anterior, central and posterior).

Results

The T2 values of posterior sub-compartment of LFC at 3 and 6 months after operation were significantly higher than that of posterior sub-compartment of LFC before operation. There was no significant difference between the T2 values of posterior sub-compartment of LFC before operation and that of 12 months after operation. No difference was found in anterior and central sub-compartment of LFC. At the LT, significantly decreased cartilage T2 values were found at 12 months after operation compared with pre-operation.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the T2 values of posterior sub-compartment of LFC were higher at 3 and 6 months after operation. Though it is generally believed that loss of meniscal tissue leads to osteoarthritis and poor knee function, this results suggested that arthroscopic meniscus preserving surgery for DLM patients affects the biochemical composition of articular cartilage by 6 months. It may indicate that the DLM patients after arthroscopic operation has occurred the different load to weight-bearing posterior sub-compartment of LFC.