Ipsilateral Medial and Lateral Discoid Menisci: A Rare Combination of Infrequent Anatomic Variants

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Radiology
• Pediatric Medicine

Background:

• A discoid meniscus is an uncommon anatomical variant of the knee meniscus, typically affecting the lateral meniscus.
• It is characterized by a thickened, disc-like shape, increasing susceptibility to tears and instability.
• Medial discoid menisci are exceptionally rare, and bilateral involvement in the same knee is even rarer.

Observation:

• This report details an extremely rare case of a 10-year-old male presenting with bilateral (medial and lateral) discoid menisci in the ipsilateral knee.
• The patient's condition highlights an unusual presentation of this meniscal anomaly.

Findings:

• The study documents a unique instance of coexisting medial and lateral discoid menisci within a single knee joint.
• This finding underscores the variability and rarity of meniscal anomalies in pediatric patients.

Implications:

• Accurate diagnosis of discoid menisci, especially rare variants like bilateral involvement, is crucial for appropriate management and to prevent long-term knee problems.
• Radiologists and orthopedic surgeons must maintain a high index of suspicion for these rare conditions when interpreting knee magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children.
• This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing rare anatomical variations to ensure correct diagnosis and treatment planning in pediatric orthopedics.