MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT KNEE WITHOUT CONTRAST

MRI EXAMINATION OF THE LEFT KNEE WITHOUT CONTRAST

INDICATION FOR STUDY:           Prior MRI examination from XXXXXXXX.  Persistent left knee pain after injury.

FINDINGS:               Axial, sagittal, and coronal images were obtained on the 1.5 Tesla GE MRI.  The patient’s prior study was compared.  There is osteonecrosis noted in the region of the previous contusion.  This extends to the articular surface.  This does not represent a loose bony fragment.  This is consistent with the patient’s previous injury and correlates with the area of prior contusion.  This is consistent with injury to the articular cartilage.  The remainder of the articular surfaces appear intact.  There is no significant acute contusion at this time.  The patella appears in good position.  There is no significant joint effusion.  The anterior and posterior cruciate ligament, medial and lateral collateral ligament, and quadriceps patellar tendon appear intact.  There is continued evidence of intrasubstance degenerative changes in the menisci.  At this time, there is evidence of intrasubstance degenerative changes in the posterior horn of the posterior meniscus, which appear to extend to the inferior articular surface and are concerning for a subtle tear in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.  This is better delineated on the present study than the previous study.  The previously described meniscal cyst is once again seen.  There is no other significant abnormality or change.

IMPRESSION:          Osteochondral defect noted in the medial tibial plateau region as discussed.  This is seen best on approximately images 11 and 12 of series 5.  There is also a subtle tear in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.  Please see comments above.  The area of osteochondral defect does correlate with the area of contusion the patient had on the prior study from XXXXXXXX and would recommend clinical correlation and appears delineated to that area of injury.

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