MRI of the Post-Operative Meniscus and ACL Graft

Postsurgically, intra-articular injection of contrast media allows improved visualization of recurrent meniscal tears and of meniscal repairs (Applegate et al., 1993). In situations where an ACL graft is not optimally visualized in a conventional MR imaging study and its radiological evaluation is important for the clinical follow-up, an intravenous gadopentate dimeglumine administration is sometimes helpful. A post-contrast sagittal T1weighted sequence with fat saturation (Sequence 2) may help to distinguish an ACL graft from the enhancing periligamentous soft tissue synovium. These aforementioned cases represent two indications for application of either intra-articular or intravenous contrast media in a postoperative diagnostic setting.