Interobserver reproducibility of quantitative meniscus analysis using coronal multiplanar DESS and IWTSE MR imaging

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Orthopedics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Meniscus size and position are crucial for knee biomechanics.
• Accurate quantitative assessment of menisci is vital for diagnosing and monitoring knee osteoarthritis.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers detailed visualization of meniscal structures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the interobserver reproducibility of quantitative meniscus measurements.
• To compare the reproducibility and agreement of two MRI sequences: double echo steady state (DESS) and intermediately-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE).

Main Methods:

• Manual segmentation of menisci was performed by three observers on MRI scans of eight knees.
• Quantitative measures of meniscus size (volume) and position (extrusion) were computed.
• Interobserver reproducibility errors were calculated and compared to intersubject variability.

Main Results:

• Interobserver reproducibility error for meniscus volume was 5.4% for DESS and 8.4% for TSE, significantly lower than intersubject variability.
• The central five coronal slices showed the lowest error for meniscus extrusion measurements.
• Quantitative meniscus measures from DESS and TSE sequences were highly correlated (r = 0.71 to 0.99).

Conclusions:

• Quantitative MRI measures of meniscus size and position demonstrate high interobserver reproducibility.
• Both DESS and TSE sequences provide reliable quantitative meniscus data, with DESS showing slightly better reproducibility for volume.
• These findings support the utility of quantitative MRI in the assessment of meniscal pathology and knee osteoarthritis.