TITLE:
MRI Aspects of Knee Pathologies at Cheikh Ahmadoul Khadim National Hospital Center of Touba
AUTHORS:
Hamidou Deme, Feriel Kechrid, Abdou Niang, Boubacar Diattara, Léra Géraud Akpo, Nfally Badji, Abdoulaye Dione Diop, Sokhna Ba
KEYWORDS:
MRI, Knee, Trauma
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Medical Imaging,
Vol.16 No.1,
February
3,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Imaging plays a central role in knee exploration. Due to its diagnostic performance and non-invasive nature, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently the first-line imaging modality after conventional radiology. Objective: The aim of our study was to describe the morphological aspects of lesions observed on MRI of the knee and to compare the semiological features of knee pathology between the two groups of patients with traumatic and non-traumatic lesions. Material and Method: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive cross-sectional study over 6 months in the Radiology and Medical Imaging Department of the National Hospital Center Cheikh Ahmadoul Khadim of Touba, including 48 patients who underwent MRI of the knee. The MRI protocol included DPFS weighted sequences in the 3 planes, T1 SE sagittal or coronal and T2 TSE sagittal in the plane of the ACL. In 1 patient, axial T1 FS sequences after gadolinium injection were performed. Data were entered and processed on SPSS version 22.0 software. Parameters studied were types and location of meniscal lesions, cruciate ligament ruptures, various chondropathy lesions, medullo-spongy edema, fractures and intra-articular effusion. Results: The mean age of the patients was 33.69 years, with extremes ranging from 14 to 69 years, and a M/F sex ratio of 4.33. Traumatic lesions accounted for 68.75%. The main reasons for MRI exploration were gonalgia (62.5%) and ligament laxity (25%). Meniscal lesions were found in 62.5% of patients, involving the medial meniscus in 73.3% and the lateral meniscus in 36.6%, located on the posterior horn (86.3% on the MM, 72.7% on the LM). Meniscus lesions were Stoller and Crues Grade 2 in 45.4% of the medial meniscus and Grade 3 fissures in 36.4% of the lateral meniscus. ACL lesions were found in 58.3% of patients, all occurring in a traumatic context, in association with PCL ruptures in 21.4% of cases. A combination of ACL rupture and medial meniscus injury was found in 53% of ACL-injured cases. We found chondropathies in 15 patients (31.3%) and medullo-spongy edema in 22 patients (45.8%), and joint effusion in 16 patients (33.3%). Conclusion: MRI is currently the non-invasive examination of choice for exploring traumatic and non-traumatic knee pathology and for planning therapeutic strategy.