Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Arthroscopic Excision of Posterior Cruciate Ligament Cysts Using a Double Posteromedial Approach
Published on: October 20, 2023
Association of parameniscal cysts with underlying meniscal tears as identified on MRI and arthroscopy
Arthur A De Smet1, Ben K Graf, Alejandro Munoz del Rio
1Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave., E3/311, Madison, WI 53792, USA. aa.desmet@hospwisc.edu
Objective:
Although patients with parameniscal cysts usually have underlying meniscal tears, we noted that this association was less common with anterior lateral cysts. We wished to determine whether the frequency of a meniscal tear underlying a parameniscal cyst varied with cyst location.
Materials And Methods:
We reviewed a database of 7,771 knee MR examinations and identified 134 patients with an MR diagnosis of 138 parameniscal cysts and correlative arthroscopy in 78 patients. We reviewed their medical records and MR studies to determine the location of the cysts and presence of an underlying meniscal tear as determined by MRI or arthroscopy.
Results:
There were 50 lateral and 88 medial parameniscal cysts. Medial meniscal tears were found underlying a cyst in 96% of arthroscopy patients and 86% of patients who had only MR examinations without a location difference in tears (p = 0.68). Meniscal tears were found on MRI or arthroscopy in all 28 patients with a lateral cyst overlying the body or posterior horn of the lateral meniscus, whereas a tear was found on MRI or arthroscopy in only 14 (64%) of 22 patients with cysts adjacent to or extending to the lateral meniscus anterior horn (p = 0.006). Anterior lateral cysts extended medially either into the root or into Hoffa fat-pad, but the type of extension did not correlate with the presence of an underlying meniscal tear.
Conclusion:
In contrast to medial parameniscal cysts or cysts at other locations adjacent to the lateral meniscus, anteriorly located lateral parameniscal cysts are less likely to have underlying meniscal tears.
Insights
Anterior lateral parameniscal cysts are less frequently associated with underlying meniscal tears compared to medial cysts or other lateral locations. This finding is crucial for understanding knee joint pathology and guiding treatment decisions.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Radiology
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Parameniscal cysts often indicate an underlying meniscal tear.
- The association between cyst location and meniscal tears requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if the frequency of meniscal tears underlying parameniscal cysts varies by cyst location.
- To investigate the association between anterior lateral parameniscal cysts and meniscal tears.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 7,771 knee MRI examinations.
- Identification of 138 parameniscal cysts in 134 patients.
- Correlation with arthroscopy findings in 78 patients to assess cyst location and meniscal tears.
Main Results:
- Medial parameniscal cysts showed a high association with meniscal tears (86-96%).
- Lateral parameniscal cysts in the body or posterior horn were always associated with tears.
- Anterior lateral parameniscal cysts had a significantly lower association with tears (64%, p=0.006).
Conclusions:
- Anteriorly located lateral parameniscal cysts are less likely to have associated meniscal tears.
- This contrasts with medial parameniscal cysts and other lateral cyst locations.
- Findings may influence diagnostic and treatment strategies for parameniscal cysts.
