Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and surgical findings in patients with meniscal perforation.

Advancement of surgical techniques has made it necessary to accurately diagnose internal derangements. Arthrography and computerized tomography have been used to diagnose the majority of temporomandibular joint disorders; however, these methods have had their disadvantages. Magnetic resonance imaging utilizing surface coils has greatly improved the ability to diagnose meniscus abnormalities without using interarticular injections or ionizing radiation. Ninety-two patients (184 joints) were evaluated by means of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty-one patients (39 joints) were diagnosed as having meniscus perforation. Retrospective reviews of 15 patients (20 joints) with a perforated meniscus diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively demonstrated a 65% correlation between the radiographic diagnosis and the surgical findings.