Comparing Diagnostic Accuracy of Common MRI Protocols and Arthroscopic Findings in Knee Joint Injuries

Arthroscopic diagnosis is an invasive and expensive procedure used in diagnosis of meniscus rupture. The aim of this study was to compare findings of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy in internal derangements of the knee.

In a descriptive-analytical study using diagnostic approach, a total of 59 patients candidate for arthroscopy in Mazandaran medical centers (2019-2020) were included and the sensitivity and specificity of MRI were investigated and compared with arthroscopy findings as the gold standard. SPSS V22 was applied for data analysis. 

In this study, 59 patients aged 18-60 years (33.2 ± 8.2 years) were studied in three medical centers. The participants included 84.7% males and 15.3% females. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI in reference to arthroscopy for anterior cruciate ligament rupture were 97.7%, 93.7%, and 96.7%, respectively and 93.2%, 87.2%, and 88%, respectively for internal meniscus rupture, and 44.4%, 79.1%, and 71.2%, respectively for rupture of external meniscus.

MRI is a very effective and reliable method in diagnosis of anterior cruciate ligament injuries that could be a suitable alternative to arthroscopy. However, it has moderate accuracy and sensitivity in diagnosis of posterior horn of lateral meniscus injuries.