Meniscal pathology in children: differences and similarities with the adult meniscus

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Radiology
• Orthopedic Imaging
• Knee Anatomy

Background:

• The pediatric meniscus undergoes significant developmental changes, maturing by age 10.
• Recognizing normal meniscal appearance is essential for diagnosing abnormalities in children.
• Increased sports participation and MRI use have led to a rise in adolescent meniscal tears.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the normal appearance of the pediatric meniscus.
• To discuss common meniscal abnormalities in children, including tears, discoid meniscus, and cysts.
• To highlight the surgical implications and prognostic indicators for meniscal injuries in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on pediatric meniscal imaging.
• Discussion of imaging findings for normal and abnormal pediatric menisci.
• Analysis of associated injuries and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Normal meniscal development occurs throughout childhood, with adult morphology by approximately 10 years.
• Common abnormalities include meniscal tears, discoid meniscus variants, and meniscal cysts.
• Surgical intervention and repair prognosis vary based on the type and extent of the abnormality.

Conclusions:

• Accurate interpretation of pediatric meniscal imaging is vital for timely diagnosis and management.
• Understanding meniscal abnormalities and their surgical implications aids in optimizing patient outcomes.
• This review provides a comprehensive overview for pediatric imaging specialists and orthopedic surgeons.