Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Apart from clinical examination multiple modalities (conventional radiography, MRI and arthroscopy) are currently used to evaluate knee injuries. This study is intended to compare the sensitivity and specificity of MRI in correlation of arthroscopy in diagnosing of knee injuries. Aim of the work: The aim of the study was to determine the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of injuries related to anterior cruciate ligament compared to arthroscopy. Methods: This is a prospective study involving 70 patients with history of knee injuries who were admitted in the Department of Radio diagnosis, National institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jaipur. MRI of the knee joint was done for all these patients either before or after admission. The patients were then subjected to diagnostic and therapeutic arthroscopy. Statistical analysis was used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and the negative predictive value, in order to assess the reliability of the MRI results. Results: Out of 70 patients included in the study; 39 were male (55.7%) and remaining 31 were female (44.3%). The age ranged from 15–80 years. Mean age of patients was 46.66 ±16.33 years. In our study the sensitivity of MRI in diagnosing medial meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament injuries was found to be 86.0%, specificity 70%, positive predictive value 96.0% and negative predictive value was found to be 39.0% and diagnostic accuracy was 84.0%. Conclusion: The present study supports that MRI is helpful in diagnosing medial meniscal and anterior cruciate ligament injuries. The negative predictive value of a MRI was found to be high for all structures of the knee joint and hence a MRI can be used to exclude pathology, thus sparing patients from expensive and unnecessary surgery.