[Combined endoscopic-radiologic examination of the knee joint]

As a back-up examination to arthroscopy of the knee joint fluoroscopy with production of x-ray films may be performed during CO2 filling of the joint. The carbon dioxide serves as a contrast medium. The method enables some of the gaps left by arthroscopy to be filled. Baker cysts and ruptures of the joint capsule can be demonstrated radiologically. At the 2nd Nuremberg Surgical Clinic 60 patients underwent examination by this method in 1980 and the first half of 1981. In 18 patients pathologic changes were found -- 12 Baker cysts and six ruptures of the knee-joint capsule. The findings were confirmed at surgery. The method was not used in cases of extensive destruction of the knee-joint capsule which had already been established clinically.