The Value and Clinical Significance of MRI Diagnosing Meniscal Cysts of the Knee

Objective To analyze MR imaging manifestations of meniscal cysts,and to assess the value and clinical significant of MRI in the detection of meniscal cysts of knee.Materials and Methods MRI manifestations of 34 cases with meniscal cysts proved by surgery and pathology were analyzed retrospectively.The location and shape of meniscal cysts,and relationship with meniscuses were reviewed.Results Meniscal cysts occured at the lateral meniscns more commonly than at the medial one with the ratio 2.4:1.(Among 34 cases,there were 25 para-articular meniscal cysts,4 intra-articular meniscal cysts,and 5 synovial cysts to be foud on MRI.)Meniscal cysts were characteristic by cystic masses with smooth outline,homogeneous attenuation,slightly low or intermediate signal intensity in SE-T1WI,slightly increased signal intensity in TSE-T2WI and increased signal intensity in MEDIC sequence.The blowing balloon sign was a typical manifestation of meniscal cysts of the knee joint in MRI.Conclusion MRI can confirm the location and the type of meniscal cysts,to determine the adjacent relationship with meniscus.MR imaging has an important impact on clinical treatment of patients,which can be served as a preferred examination method for the meniscal cyst of the knee joint.