Araştırma Makalesi

DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Cilt: 36 Sayı: 2026 18 Ağustos 2026
PDF İndir
EN TR

DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING

Öz

Aim: The menisci in pediatric patients often exhibit high signal intensity on knee MRIs due to vascularization, which may be misinterpreted as pathological. In this study, we aimed to analyze the prevalence of developmental meniscal signal alterations in pediatric knee MRIs and explore their relationship with age, sex, and magnetic field strength.
Materials and Methods: This retrospective study reviewed knee MRIs of patients under 18 years of age, performed from January 2015 to June 2024. The cohort was divided into five age groups. Meniscal signal characteristics were assessed on T1-weighted (T1W) and proton density-weighted (PDW) sequences. The analysis focused on signal heterogeneity in both the medial and lateral menisci, with comparisons based on age, sex, and magnetic field strength of the MRI scanner (1.5 T vs. 3 T).
Results: A total of 285 patients and 433 MRIs were included. Heterogeneous meniscal signals were more frequently observed in the medial meniscus, especially in T1W sequences. The frequency of these signals decreased with age in the lateral meniscus but remained consistent in the medial meniscus. Magnetic field strength at 3T showed higher heterogeneity compared to 1.5 T in Groups 2 and 3. Gender differences in signal characteristics were observed in Group 5, with males showing higher heterogeneity.
Conclusion: Developmental meniscal signal changes in pediatric patients are primarily attributed to vascularization, particularly in the medial meniscus, and become more pronounced with higher magnetic field strengths. Increased physical activity likely contributes to meniscal signal heterogeneity, which should not be immediately interpreted as degeneration or tear. Recognition of these non-pathological signal alterations may help avoid unnecessary orthopedic consultations and surgical interventions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

knee, meniscal signal, MRI, pediatric

Kaynakça

  1. 1. Nguyen JC, De Smet AA, Graf BK, Rosas HG. MR imaging-based diagnosis and classification of meniscal tears. Radiographics. 2014 Jul-Aug;34(4):981-99
  2. 2. Francavilla ML, Restrepo R, Zamora KW, Sarode V, Swirsky SM, Mintz D. Meniscal pathology in children: differences and similarities with the adult meniscus. Pediatr Radiol. 2014;44(8):910-25; quiz 907-9
  3. 3. Hodler J, Haghighi P, Trudell D, Resnick D. Degenerative changes of the menisci of the knee. Value of different MR pulse sequences. Acta Radiol. 1993;34(4):404-7
  4. 4. Takeda Y, Ikata T, Yoshida S, Takai H, Kashiwaguchi S. MRI high-signal intensity in the menisci of asymptomatic children. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1998;80(3):463-7
  5. 5. Loïc Geffroy. Meniscal pathology in children and adolescents, Orthop Traumatol Surg Res, Volume 107, Issue 1, Supplement,2021,102775
  6. 6. Araújo FF, Guimarães JB, da Cruz IAN, Morimoto LDR, Filho AGO, Nico MAC. Pediatric menisci: normal aspects, anatomical variants, lesions, tears, and postsurgical findings. Insights Imaging. 2024;15(1):295
  7. 7. Logerstedt DS, Ebert JR, MacLeod TD, Heiderscheit BC, Gabbett TJ, Eckenrode BJ. Effects of and Response to Mechanical Loading on the Knee. Sports Med. 2022;52(2):201-235.
  8. 8. Peh WC, Chan JH, Shek TW, Wong JW. The effect of using shorter echo times in MR imaging of knee menisci: a study using a porcine model. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1999;172(2):485-8
  9. 9. Ramnath RR, Magee T, Wasudev N, Murrah R. Accuracy of 3-T MRI using fast spin-echo technique to detect meniscal tears of the knee. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;187(1):221-5

Kaynak Göster

APA
Almus, E., & Yapıcı, Ö. (2026). DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. Genel Tıp Dergisi, 36(2026), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.54005/geneltip.1825592
AMA
1.Almus E, Yapıcı Ö. DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. Genel Tıp Derg. 2026;36(2026):1-5. doi:10.54005/geneltip.1825592
Chicago
Almus, Eda, ve Özge Yapıcı. 2026. “DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING”. Genel Tıp Dergisi 36 (2026): 1-5. https://doi.org/10.54005/geneltip.1825592.
EndNote
Almus E, Yapıcı Ö (01 Ağustos 2026) DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. Genel Tıp Dergisi 36 2026 1–5.
IEEE
[1]E. Almus ve Ö. Yapıcı, “DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING”, Genel Tıp Derg, c. 36, sy 2026, ss. 1–5, Ağu. 2026, doi: 10.54005/geneltip.1825592.
ISNAD
Almus, Eda - Yapıcı, Özge. “DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING”. Genel Tıp Dergisi 36/2026 (01 Ağustos 2026): 1-5. https://doi.org/10.54005/geneltip.1825592.
JAMA
1.Almus E, Yapıcı Ö. DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. Genel Tıp Derg. 2026;36:1–5.
MLA
Almus, Eda, ve Özge Yapıcı. “DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING”. Genel Tıp Dergisi, c. 36, sy 2026, Ağustos 2026, ss. 1-5, doi:10.54005/geneltip.1825592.
Vancouver
1.Eda Almus, Özge Yapıcı. DEVELOPMENTAL MENISCAL SIGNAL CHANGES: A DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMA IN PEDIATRIC KNEE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING. Genel Tıp Derg. 01 Ağustos 2026;36(2026):1-5. doi:10.54005/geneltip.1825592