[Significance of double-contrast arthrographic for the assessment of a meniscus lesion (author's transl)]

On-target and hence successful treatment can be effected only if the diagnosis of a lesion of the meniscus is established beyond doubt. In the present study the authors tested retrospectively the significance of arthrography for the assessment of a meniscus lesion, basing their evaluation on the surgical findings, and examined the diagnostic problems involved in internal lesions of the knee, following knee surgery. The study utilized the results of 279 cases of double-contrast arthrography; 76 of these patients were operated upon. Complete agreement between arthrography and surgical findings was obtained in 73.5% of the patients. This figure increases to 81.5% when we disregard insignificant diagnostic factors. No complications were seen in any of the outpatient examinations.