CONTRAST ARTHOGRAPHY OF KNEE JOINT - A COMPARISON OF POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE METHODS

The experiences and results with positive (water-soluble iodized medium) and negative (air) arthrography of the knee are compared. One hundred twenty-nine air arthrograms were obtained for the evaluation of meniscal injury. The opaque examination was judged easier for both patient and radiographic technician. Operative findings were correlated with the roentgen appearance of the menisci in 44 air arthrograms and 50 opaque arthrograms. The positive contrast examination was more accurate for both detecting and excluding meniscal injury. The overall accuracy of opaque arthrography was 96%, compared to 66% for the air examination.