[Experimental meniscus sonography: the influence of imaging geometry on the visualization of meniscal lesions]

Specific meniscal tears were set on prepared cadaver knees to examine the influence of projection factors on the visualisation of these lesions via ultrasound. 7.5 MHz sector- and linear scanner were used. It showed that both the extent of the lesion and also the angle between outgoing echo-direction and reflection plane determines the sonographic findings of meniscal tears. Adapted horizontal tears and vertical radial tears were often not seen. Concentric vertical lesions showed one or two high echogenic lines, depending on the extent of the defect. So it seems that there are limits for an exact sonographic characterization of meniscal lesions.