Double-Contrast CT Arthrography in Diagnosis of Chondromalacia Patellae

This study was based on 15 cases (16 knees) of computed tomography after double-contrast arthrography of knee in clinically suspected chondromalacia patellae. Fifteen of these 16 knees underwent operation and the result of fourteen agreed with CT findings. In one case, CT imaging could not demonstrate arthroscopic grade I lesion. The CT finding after double contrast arthrography in diagnosis of chondromalacia patellae included:(1) incongruity of cartilage of patella, (2) Irregularity of cartilage of patella and (3) Imbibition of contrast media in the cartilage of patella. We found irregular contour of cartilage of the femoral notch to be present in some cases. All these findings were well demonstrated in our study and correlated with the findings of arthroscopy. We concluded that double-contrast CT arthrograghy can give us an additional way in diagnosis of chondromalacia patellae.