Meniscal and ganglion cysts of the knee: MR evaluation (original) (raw)

and ganglion cysts frequently present as palpable masses of the knee but occur at different locations than do popliteal cysts. Meniscal cysts also may be discovered incidentally on studies performed for suspected internal derangement. Sixteen cystic lesions of the knee were evaluated with MR, including I I meniscal cysts and five ganglion cysts. Scans were performed at 1.5 T by using a transmit/receive extremity coil or a receive-only surface coil. Standard spin-echo imaging, including at least one Iong-TR/asymmetric-TE sequence, was performed in all cases. In six patients, gradientecho, reduced flip-angle sequences also were done. All meniscal cysts (but none of the ganglion cysts) were associated with horizontal meniscal tears. Cysts were visualized best on the Iong-TR/TE images; meniscal tears were seen best on the short-TRITE and Iong-TR/short-TE images. Meniscal tears and cysts were also seen well on the fastscanning sequences. Septations were noted in four meniscal cysts and in four ganglion cysts on the long-TRITE images. Long-TRITE images were also useful in showing the relationship between the cyst and joint capsule in three of the ganglion cysts.