MR imaging of the anatomy of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus

作者：De Coninck Tineke; Vanrietvelde Frederik; Seynaeve Patrick; Verdonk Peter; Verstraete Koenraad

来源：Acta Radiologica, 2017, 58(4): 464-471.

DOI：10.1177/0284185116661880

• anatomy
• knee
• magnetic resonance imaging
• meniscus

Background: In cadaveric and arthroscopic studies different insertion locations of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus (AHMM) have been described.
Purpose: To investigate if the different insertion locations of the AHMM, as described in cadaveric studies, can be determined on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Material and Methods: MR images of 100 patients without meniscal tears on MRI were retrospectively evaluated. Two observers classified the AHMM insertion based on its position relative to the anterior tibial edge and the medial tibial spine. The association between AHMM insertion and tibial plateau slope, meniscal radial displacement, and anterior intermeniscal ligament (AIL) presence was investigated.
Results: The AHMM inserted posterior to the anterior tibial edge in 93 knees and anterior to the tibial edge in seven knees (= type III). Of the 93 knees with AHMM insertion posterior to the anterior tibial edge, 63 inserted lateral to the medial tibial spine (= type I) and 30 medial (= type II). The AHMMs inserting anterior to the tibial edge had a significantly (P< 0.05) steeper anterior tibial plateau slope and a significantly (P< 0.05) higher presence of the AIL. No significant difference in radial displacement was observed between the three insertion types (P> 0.05). A strong inter-and intraobserver agreement was observed.
Conclusion: Three different bony insertion locations of the AHMM, as described in cadaveric studies, could be identified on MRI. All AHMMs inserting anterior to the tibial edge displayed an AIL. Whether there is a clinical correlation with these insertion patterns remains unclear.

• 出版日期2017-4