Standardized MRI nomenclature for knee meniscal lesions: SSR consensus panel report

To assess nomenclature variability and develop recommendations on standardized MRI reporting of meniscal findings.

The Society of Skeletal Radiology identified standardized MRI reporting of knee menisci as an important topic for study and invited all members to serve on a panel to provide consensus recommendations. The Society empaneled 12 musculoskeletal radiologists and 2 orthopaedic surgeons. The panel reviewed published literature (PubMed, Scopus, and Embase) using predetermined criteria for inclusion (peer-reviewed, English-language, human studies) and exclusion (case reports, conference abstracts, book chapters, expert opinions, and commentaries). Literature analysis focused on nomenclature relevant to MRI reporting in two general domains: (I) meniscal anatomy and anatomic variants and (II) meniscal tears and associated findings.

Substantial nomenclature variability was identified across both domains. For anatomy and variants, inconsistencies involved root zone definitions, vascular zone descriptors, perimeniscal stabilizer terminology (including eponyms), and diagnostic criteria for the discoid meniscus. For tears and associated findings, variability involved numerical grading systems, the terms "complete" and "incomplete," extrusion measurement methodology, and interpretive labels (e.g., "traumatic," "degenerative," "repairable," "stable"). Ten consensus recommendations for standardized MRI reporting were developed.

Descriptive anatomic language-specifying what is seen and where-can be more reproducible and clinically actionable than reporting variable numerical grades and evolving classifications. Adoption of our ten pragmatic recommendations has the potential to reduce miscommunication, improve inter-institutional consistency, and support clinical research.