[Use of dental CT software progarms (Dentascan) for optimal arthroscopic CT of knee menisci]

The need for CT automated multiaxial programs of reconstruction, able to accommodate with complex curvilinear anatomic structures has recently been satisfied by Dental Software Programs--"DENTASCAN"--essentially developed for implantology. Taking advantage of the very close likeness of dental archs and menisci of the knee in terms of form--variable complex curvilinear structures--and size, our study shows the advantages of "DENTASCAN" program to optimize the study of the menisci with Spiral Arthro-CT (SACT). The results obtained on a series of 228 menisci are compared with Conventional Arthrography (CA). 11.85% of additional lesions are found with SACT and 30.2% of all lesions demonstrated by CA are also more adequately described by SACT associated with "DENTASCAN". Moreover, fissures and ulcerations of the tibio-femoral cartilages, undiagnosed by preliminary CA are found in 20, 8% of patients with SACT. We conclude that SACT is much more effective and reproducible than CA for the study of the knee and we promote the use of Dental CT Software Programs like "DENTASCAN" for the study of the femorotibial and meniscus complex. Additional work is now necessary to compare the effectiveness of SACT with MRI or arthro-MRI of the knee with valuation of arthroscopy.