Home > Cases > Main Index > Case 89 | Skeletal Index  

SRS-X The SRS Educational Resource

Case 89

Meniscal ossicle

Chronic Knee Pain

Andy Pover

This 30 year old female presented with chronic left knee pain. She had suffered minor trauma to the knee nine months previously.

Clinical examination led to suspicion of a posterior cruciate ligament tear, or bone bruising.

Findings

The plain film shows a round corticated mass close to the posterior joint line.

MRI images (T1 sagittal, T2 sagittal, T1 coronal) show a well defined ossicle containing high signal marrow fat, lying in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.

Plain films of knee (above)

MRI of knee (below): T1 and T2 sagittal and T1 coronal images

Diagnosis

Meniscal ossicle

Discussion

Meniscal ossicles are a rare incidental finding. Usually found in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus, their aetiology is uncertain. A congenital origin with the ossicle being formed from rests of primitive mesenchyme cells is preferred, but recent evidence supports a traumatic aetiology.

References

Mink et al. MRI of the knee. 2nd Ed. p133.14
Berg EE. The meniscal ossicle: The consequences of a meniscal avulsion. Arthroscopy 1991;7(2):241-243

Main Index  |   Previous Case

Skeletal Index  |   Previous Case

Main Index as Unknowns

Skeletal Index as Unknowns