Purpose
To quantitatively evaluate degeneration of articular cartilage using magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) T2 mapping before and after arthroscopic surgery for discoid lateral
meniscus (DLM).
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who underwent arthroscopic
reshaping surgery for symptomatic DLM from September 2013 to October 2017 and who
had undergone follow-up for ≥2 years. MRI T2 relaxation examinations had been performed
preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. The T2 relaxation times
of the whole lateral femoral condyle and the tibial plateau were assessed. In addition,
the lateral femoral condyle was divided into 3 subcompartmental areas: anterior, middle,
and posterior.
Results
In total, 30 knees of 27 patients were included in this study. The patients’ mean
age at operation was 13.3 years (range 6-23 years), and the mean follow-up period
was 31.6 months. Saucerization alone was performed in 3 knees and saucerization with
repair in 27 knees. The T2 relaxation time of the whole lateral femoral condyle was
significantly increased at 3 and 6 months postoperatively and significantly decreased
at 12 and 24 months. The T2 relaxation time of the whole lateral tibial plateau was
significantly increased at 3 months postoperatively and significantly decreased at
24 months. The T2 relaxation time of the posterior subcompartment of the lateral femoral
condyle was significantly increased at 3 months and significantly decreased at 12
and 24 months.
Conclusions
The T2 relaxation time of the lateral femorotibial joint cartilage increased at 3
and 6 months postoperatively and then had decreased at 12 and 24 months. Quantitative
MRI allowed us to monitor the substantial changes in the cartilage during the early
postoperative period and the recovery at the distant time point after reshaping surgery
for DLM.
Level of Evidence
Level IV, case series
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 30, 2020
Accepted:
September 19,
2020
Received:
April 3,
2020
See commentary on page 655Footnotes
The authors report the following potential conflicts of interest or sources of funding: Y.H. reports money paid to Osaka City University and Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research. H.N. reports money paid to Osaka City University and Shiraniwa Hospital; grants from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development; and payment for lectures or speaker’s bureau from Daiichi Sankyo Co., Taisho Toyama Pharmaceutical, Shionogi & Co., and Eli Lilly Japan. Full ICMJE author disclosure forms are available for this article online, as supplementary material.
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© 2020 by the Arthroscopy Association of North America
