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Meniscal ossicle: radiographic and MR imaging findings
P Schnarkowski1, P F Tirman, K D Fuchigami
1Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, USA.
Purpose:
To determine the magnetic resonance (MR) imaging appearance of meniscal ossicles and correlate that with the radiographic and clinical features.
Materials And Methods:
Radiographs and MR images were studied retrospectively in six patients with meniscal ossicles; all patients had intermittent discomfort in the knee, and five patients had experienced knee trauma. Imaging findings were correlated with the clinical history. Four patients underwent arthroscopy.
Results:
All patients had a visible ossicle on conventional radiographs initially interpreted as a loose joint body. MR imaging features included a corticated marrow-containing structure within the substance of the medial meniscus near the tibial attachment that appeared as a rounded focus of increased signal intensity on T1-weighted images that decreased in signal intensity on T2-weighted images.
Conclusion:
Meniscal ossicles have a characteristic MR appearance that may help distinguish them from loose bodies. They should be considered diagnostically when a circumscribed ossification is identified near the posterior horn of the medial meniscus on radiographs.