Download PDF
Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2001; 14(02): 90-94
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632681
Clinical Communication
Schattauer GmbH

Magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopy of a discoid lateral meniscus in a dog

S. Ohlerth
1   Section of Small Animal Radiology, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
J. Lang
1   Section of Small Animal Radiology, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
J. Scheidegger
3   The Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Tiefenau Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
,
H. Nötzli
4   The Department of Orthopedics, Inselspital, University of Bern, Switzerland
,
U. Rytz
2   Surgery, Kleintierklinik, University of Bern, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 21 July 2000

Accepted 01 December 2000

Publication Date:
09 February 2018 (online)

    Permissions and Reprints

Summary

For the first time in veterinary literature, magnetic resonance and arthroscopic features of a discoid lateral meniscus in a dog are described. A 15-monthold Labrador Retriever with a history of mild intermittent left hindlimb lameness was referred to our clinic. Physical examination revealed mild joint effusion of the left stifle and absence of a cranial drawer motion and tibial compression test. Survey radiographs demonstrated mild joint effusion and peri-articular new bone formation. Low-field magnetic resonance tomography of the left stifle joint demonstrated injury of the cranial cruciate ligament and a discoid lateral meniscus. Two weeks later, arthroscopy revealed a partial tear of the cranial cruciate ligament with mild synovitis. Furthermore, some fibres inserted abnormally cranial to the inter-meniscal and cranial tibial ligament of the medial meniscus. The lateral meniscus was discoid in shape. Subsequent arthrotomy confirmed the diagnoses. Discoid meniscus is a rare finding in the dog with unknown clinical relevance whereas it is well known in humans.

A 15-month-old Labrador Retriever with mild left hindlimb lameness, mild joint effusion of the left stifle but without signs of stifle instability is presented in this report. Low-field magnetic resonance tomography demonstrated injury of the cranial cruciate ligament and a discoid lateral meniscus. Subsequent arthroscopy and arthrotomy confirmed these findings. A literature review on discoid meniscus in humans and in dogs is presented.

Keywords

Discoid meniscus - cranial cruciate ligament - MRI - arthroscopy - dog
 

  • REFERENCES

  • 1 Araki Y, Ashikaga R, Fujii K, Ishida O’Hamada M, Ueda J, Tsukaguchi I. MR imaging of meniscal tears with discoid lateral meniscus. Eur J Radiol 1998; 27: 153-60.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Araki Y, Yamamoto H, Nakamura H, Tsukaguchi I. MR diagnosis of discoid lateral menisci of the knee. Eur J Radiol 1994; 18: 92-5.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Arnoczky SP, Marshall JL. Discoid meniscus in the dog: A case report. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1977; 13: 569-70.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Baird DK, Hathcock JT, Rumph PF, Kincaid SA, Visco DM. Low-field magnetic resonance imaging of the canine stifle joint: Normal anatomy. Vet Radiol and Ultrasound 1998; 39 (02) 87-97.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Baird DK, Hathcock JT, Kincaid SA, Rumph PF, Kammermann J, Widmer WR, Visco D, Sweet D. Low-field magnetic resonance imaging of early subchondral cystlike lesions in induced cranial cruciate ligament deficient dogs. Vet Radiol and Ultrasound 1998; 39 (03) 167-73.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Bertrand SG, Lewis DD, Madison JB, de Haan JH, Stubbs WP, Stallings JT. Arthroscopic examination and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the femoral condyle of six dogs. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1997; 33: 451-5.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Connolly B, Babyn PS, Wright JG, Thorner PS. Discoid meniscus in children: magnetic resonance imaging characteristics. Can Assoc Radiol J 1996; 47 (05) 347-54.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Dashefsky JH. Discoid lateral meniscus in three members of a family. J Bone Joint Surg 1971; 54: 1208-10.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Dickhaut SC, DeLee JC. The discoid lateral-meniscus syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg 1982; 64 A: 1068-73.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Evans HE. Arthrology. In: Miller’s anatomy of the dog. Evans HE. (ed). Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co; 1993: 251.
    Google Scholar
  • 11 Flo GL. Classification of meniscal lesions in twenty-six consecutive canine meniscectomies. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1983; 19: 335-40.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Gebhart MC, Rosenthal RK. Bilateral discoid meniscus in identical twins. J Bone Joint Surg 1979; 61 A: 1110-1.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Hall FM. Arthrography of the discoid lateral meniscus. Am J Roentgenol 1977; 128: 993-1002.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hoffmann FF. Abnormal femoral origin of the anterior cruciate ligament combined with a discoid lateral meniscus. Arthroscopy 1997; 13 (02) 254-6.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Hough Jr AJ, Webber RJ. Pathology of the meniscus. Clin Orthop 1990; 252: 32-40.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Hulse DA, Shires PK. The Meniscus: Anatomy, Function, and Treatment. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 1983; 05 (09) 765-74.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Janzen DL, Munk PL, Helms CA. Technique of magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. In: MRI of the Knee. Munk PL, Helms CA. (eds). Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; 1996: 1-28.
    Google Scholar
  • 18 Kaplan EB. Discoid lateral meniscus of the knee joint. Bull Hosp Joint Dis 1955; 16: 111-24.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Kim SJ, Kim DW, Min BH. Discoid lateral meniscus associated with anomalous insertion of the medial meniscus. Clin Orthop 1995; 315: 234-7.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Konar M, Kneissl S. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cruciate ligaments in the dog. Vet Radiol and Ultrasound 1999; 40 (05) 557-8 (abstract).
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Kulowski J, Rickett HW. The relation of discoid meniscus to cyst formation and joint mechanics. J Bone Joint Surg 1947; 29: 900-2.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Miller CW, Presnell KR. Examination of the canine stifle: Arthroscopy versus arthrotomy. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1985; 21: 623-9.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Munk PL, Helms CA, Janzen DL, Vellet AD. The menisci. In: MRI of the Knee. Munk PL, Helms CA. (eds). Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven Publishers; 1996: 102-5.
    Google Scholar
  • 24 Ross JA, Tough ICK, English TA. Congenital discoid cartilage: report of a case of discoid medial cartilage, with an embryological note. J Bone Joint Surg 1958; 40B: 262-7.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Silverman JM, Mink JH, Deutsch AL. Discoid menisci of the knee: MR Imaging appearance. Radiology 1989; 173: 351-4.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Smillie IS. The congenital discoid meniscus. J Bone Joint Surg 1948; 30B: 671-82.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Stark JE, Siegel MJ, Weinberger E, Shaw DWW. Discoid menisci in children: MR features. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1995; 19 (04) 608-11.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Van Bree HJ, Van Ryssen B. Diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy in osteochondrosis lesions. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1998; 28 (01) 161-89.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Watanabe M. Arthroscopy of the knee joint. In: Disorders of the Knee. Helfet AJ. (ed). Philadelphia: Lippincott; 1974: 145.
    Google Scholar
  • 30 Widmer WR, Buckwalter KA, Braunstein EM, Hill MA, O’Connor BL, Visco DM. Principles of magnetic resonance imaging and application to the stifle joint in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991; 198 (11) 1914-22.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Woods GW, Whelan JM. Discoid meniscus. Clinics in Sports Medicine 1990; 09 (03) 695-706.
    PubMedGoogle Scholar