Dual-detector spiral CT arthrography of the knee: accuracy for detection of meniscal abnormalities and unstable meniscal tears

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of dual-detector spiral computed tomographic (CT) arthrography of the knee in the detection of meniscal abnormalities and unstable meniscal tears.

Materials and methods: The meniscal changes in 50 consecutive patients who underwent dual-detector spiral CT of the knee after intraarticular injection of iodinated contrast material (0.55-mm effective section thickness, 0.75 pitch value, 0.3-mm increment reconstruction, 0.43-mm in-plane resolution, 0.3-mm longitudinal resolution) were determined by two observers and were compared with arthroscopic findings. The sensitivity and specificity of CT arthrography for the detection of meniscal abnormalities and unstable meniscal tears and the kappa statistics for assessing interobserver reproducibility were determined.

Results: The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of meniscal abnormalities were 98% and 94%, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of unstable meniscal tears were 97% and 90%, respectively. Interobserver agreement was excellent for the detection of meniscal abnormalities (kappa = 0.899) and of unstable meniscal tears (kappa = 0.885).

Conclusion: Dual-detector spiral CT arthrography of the knee is an accurate and reproducible method for detecting meniscal abnormalities and unstable meniscal tears.