[Experimental studies of sonography of the meniscus]

The aim of this examination was to recognize and, if possible, avoid the origin of artifact images in sonograms caused anatomically and by the physics of ultrasound. Experimental investigations were carried out in a waterbath on models of knee joints using Schlierenoptics and on specimens from corpse knees. When a sector transducer was used, the artifact images that originated in the joint cavity appeared outside the cavity on the sonogram so that there were no danger of mistaking them for reflected images of tears in lesions of the meniscus. In sonography, the surfaces of tears reflect a strong signal, but diagnosis depends on the position of the edges of the tears to the direction of the ultrasonic waves, which means to get a reliable record of tears of the meniscus is only possible by means of a dynamic examination technique.