Arthrography--a diagnostic aid to knee injury.

Injuries of the knee often present diagnostic problem. Using double contrast arthrography, each segment of the two menisci can be studied in detail. In addition, ligamentous tears can be detected. This method is particularly useful when the clinical signs are non-specific and the symptoms atypical. In the present series, double contrast arthrography was performed in 100 cases of suspected internal derangement of the knee. Abnormal radiological findings were recorded in 31 cases. Confirmation of the diagnosis was available in 17 out of 21 patients, subjected to surgery, giving a pre-operative diagnostic accuracy of 81%. This figure could be improved with experience and can be further enhanced, if used in conjunction with arthroscopy.