Meniscus tear occurring in axial (horizontal) plane, transecting through long axis of meniscus
HT is preferred term according to ISAKOS classification system
Meniscus red zone: outer 1/3 of meniscus = vascular portion of meniscus
Meniscus red-white junction: middle 1/3 of meniscus between peripheral zone and free edge
Meniscus white zone: inner 1/3 of meniscus near free edge, nonvascular
IMAGING
General Features
CT Findings
MR Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Reporting Tips
Selected References
Hoover KB et al: Reliability of meniscus tear description: a study using MRI from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Rheumatol Int. 40(4):635-41, 2020
Matar HE et al: Degenerative meniscal tears of the knee: evaluation and management. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 80(1):46-50, 2019
Amano H et al: Analysis of displacement and deformation of the medial meniscus with a horizontal tear using a three-dimensional computer model. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 23(4):1153-60, 2015
Arno S et al: Tibiofemoral contact mechanics following a horizontal cleavage lesion in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. J Orthop Res. 33(4):584-90, 2015
Kurzweil PR et al: Repair of horizontal meniscus tears: a systematic review. Arthroscopy. 30(11):1513-9, 2014
Nguyen JC et al: MR imaging-based diagnosis and classification of meniscal tears. Radiographics. 34(4):981-99, 2014
Davis KW et al: Magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopic appearance of the menisci of the knee. Clin Sports Med. 32(3):449-75, 2013
Kim JR et al: Traumatic and non-traumatic isolated horizontal meniscal tears of the knee in patients less than 40 years of age. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 23(5):589-93, 2013
Pujol N et al: Magnetic resonance imaging is not suitable for interpretation of meniscal status ten years after arthroscopic repair. Int Orthop. 37(12):2371-6, 2013
Shieh A et al: Meniscus tear patterns in relation to skeletal immaturity: children versus adolescents. Am J Sports Med. 41(12):2779-83, 2013
Yim JH et al: A comparative study of meniscectomy and nonoperative treatment for degenerative horizontal tears of the medial meniscus. Am J Sports Med. 41(7):1565-70, 2013
Choi CJ et al: Characteristics of radial tears in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus compared to horizontal tears. Clin Orthop Surg. 3(2):128-32, 2011
Elvey MH et al: Horizontal cleavage tear of discoid medial meniscus diagnosed on MRI and treated with arthroscopic partial resection. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 19(11):1860-7, 2011
Hoffelner T et al: Arthroscopic all-inside meniscal repair--Does the meniscus heal? A clinical and radiological follow-up examination to verify meniscal healing using a 3-T MRI. Skeletal Radiol. 40(2):181-7, 2011
McKnight A et al: Meniscal tears with displaced fragments: common patterns on magnetic resonance imaging. Skeletal Radiol. 39(3):279-83, 2010
Englund M et al: The role of the meniscus in knee osteoarthritis: a cause or consequence? Radiol Clin North Am. 47(4):703-12, 2009
Galea A et al: The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging scanning and its influence on management decisions in knee surgery. Arthroscopy. 25(5):473-80, 2009
Grossman JW et al: Comparison of the accuracy rates of 3-T and 1.5-T MRI of the knee in the diagnosis of meniscal tear. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 193(2):509-14, 2009
Kim JM et al: Inframeniscal portal for horizontal tears of the meniscus. Arthroscopy. 25(3):269-73, 2009
Kuikka PI et al: Magnetic resonance imaging in acute traumatic and chronic meniscal tears of the knee: a diagnostic accuracy study in young adults. Am J Sports Med. 37(5):1003-8, 2009
Wolff AB et al: Comparison of spin echo T1-weighted sequences versus fast spin-echo proton density-weighted sequences for evaluation of meniscal tears at 1.5 T. Skeletal Radiol. 38(1):21-9, 2009
De Smet AA et al: Clinical and MRI findings associated with false-positive knee MR diagnoses of medial meniscal tears. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 191(1):93-9, 2008
Englund M et al: Incidental meniscal findings on knee MRI in middle-aged and elderly persons. N Engl J Med. 359(11):1108-15, 2008
Magee T: MR findings of meniscal extrusion correlated with arthroscopy. J Magn Reson Imaging. 28(2):466-70, 2008
Mustonen AO et al: MRI of acute meniscal injury associated with tibial plateau fractures: prevalence, type, and location. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 191(4):1002-9, 2008
Pujol N et al: Meniscal healing after meniscal repair: a CT arthrography assessment. Am J Sports Med. 36(8):1489-95, 2008
Sohn DH et al: Meniscal debridement: current concepts. J Knee Surg. 21(2):145-53, 2008
Turman KA et al: Meniscal repair: indications and techniques. J Knee Surg. 21(2):154-62, 2008
Costa CR et al: Medial meniscus extrusion on knee MRI: is extent associated with severity of degeneration or type of tear? AJR Am J Roentgenol. 183(1):17-23, 2004
Kidron A et al: Radial tears associated with cleavage tears of the medial meniscus in athletes. Arthroscopy. 18(3):254-6, 2002
Ferrer-Roca O et al: Lesions of the meniscus. Part II: Horizontal cleavages and lateral cysts. Clin Orthop Relat Res. (146):301-7, 1980
Related Anatomy
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Related Differential Diagnoses
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Top Differential Diagnoses
Pathology
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Abbreviations
Horizontal tear (HT)
Synonyms
Meniscus fraying (= minimal HT)
Definitions
Meniscus tear occurring in axial (horizontal) plane, transecting through long axis of meniscus
HT is preferred term according to ISAKOS classification system
Meniscus red zone: outer 1/3 of meniscus = vascular portion of meniscus
Meniscus red-white junction: middle 1/3 of meniscus between peripheral zone and free edge
Meniscus white zone: inner 1/3 of meniscus near free edge, nonvascular
IMAGING
General Features
CT Findings
MR Findings
Imaging Recommendations
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
PATHOLOGY
General Features
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Demographics
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Consider
Image Interpretation Pearls
Reporting Tips
Selected References
Hoover KB et al: Reliability of meniscus tear description: a study using MRI from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Rheumatol Int. 40(4):635-41, 2020
Matar HE et al: Degenerative meniscal tears of the knee: evaluation and management. Br J Hosp Med (Lond). 80(1):46-50, 2019
Amano H et al: Analysis of displacement and deformation of the medial meniscus with a horizontal tear using a three-dimensional computer model. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 23(4):1153-60, 2015
Arno S et al: Tibiofemoral contact mechanics following a horizontal cleavage lesion in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. J Orthop Res. 33(4):584-90, 2015
Kurzweil PR et al: Repair of horizontal meniscus tears: a systematic review. Arthroscopy. 30(11):1513-9, 2014
Nguyen JC et al: MR imaging-based diagnosis and classification of meniscal tears. Radiographics. 34(4):981-99, 2014
Davis KW et al: Magnetic resonance imaging and arthroscopic appearance of the menisci of the knee. Clin Sports Med. 32(3):449-75, 2013
Kim JR et al: Traumatic and non-traumatic isolated horizontal meniscal tears of the knee in patients less than 40 years of age. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 23(5):589-93, 2013
Pujol N et al: Magnetic resonance imaging is not suitable for interpretation of meniscal status ten years after arthroscopic repair. Int Orthop. 37(12):2371-6, 2013
Shieh A et al: Meniscus tear patterns in relation to skeletal immaturity: children versus adolescents. Am J Sports Med. 41(12):2779-83, 2013
Yim JH et al: A comparative study of meniscectomy and nonoperative treatment for degenerative horizontal tears of the medial meniscus. Am J Sports Med. 41(7):1565-70, 2013
Choi CJ et al: Characteristics of radial tears in the posterior horn of the medial meniscus compared to horizontal tears. Clin Orthop Surg. 3(2):128-32, 2011
Elvey MH et al: Horizontal cleavage tear of discoid medial meniscus diagnosed on MRI and treated with arthroscopic partial resection. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 19(11):1860-7, 2011
Hoffelner T et al: Arthroscopic all-inside meniscal repair--Does the meniscus heal? A clinical and radiological follow-up examination to verify meniscal healing using a 3-T MRI. Skeletal Radiol. 40(2):181-7, 2011
McKnight A et al: Meniscal tears with displaced fragments: common patterns on magnetic resonance imaging. Skeletal Radiol. 39(3):279-83, 2010
Englund M et al: The role of the meniscus in knee osteoarthritis: a cause or consequence? Radiol Clin North Am. 47(4):703-12, 2009
Galea A et al: The accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging scanning and its influence on management decisions in knee surgery. Arthroscopy. 25(5):473-80, 2009
Grossman JW et al: Comparison of the accuracy rates of 3-T and 1.5-T MRI of the knee in the diagnosis of meniscal tear. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 193(2):509-14, 2009
Kim JM et al: Inframeniscal portal for horizontal tears of the meniscus. Arthroscopy. 25(3):269-73, 2009
Kuikka PI et al: Magnetic resonance imaging in acute traumatic and chronic meniscal tears of the knee: a diagnostic accuracy study in young adults. Am J Sports Med. 37(5):1003-8, 2009
Wolff AB et al: Comparison of spin echo T1-weighted sequences versus fast spin-echo proton density-weighted sequences for evaluation of meniscal tears at 1.5 T. Skeletal Radiol. 38(1):21-9, 2009
De Smet AA et al: Clinical and MRI findings associated with false-positive knee MR diagnoses of medial meniscal tears. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 191(1):93-9, 2008
Englund M et al: Incidental meniscal findings on knee MRI in middle-aged and elderly persons. N Engl J Med. 359(11):1108-15, 2008
Magee T: MR findings of meniscal extrusion correlated with arthroscopy. J Magn Reson Imaging. 28(2):466-70, 2008
Mustonen AO et al: MRI of acute meniscal injury associated with tibial plateau fractures: prevalence, type, and location. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 191(4):1002-9, 2008
Pujol N et al: Meniscal healing after meniscal repair: a CT arthrography assessment. Am J Sports Med. 36(8):1489-95, 2008
Sohn DH et al: Meniscal debridement: current concepts. J Knee Surg. 21(2):145-53, 2008
Turman KA et al: Meniscal repair: indications and techniques. J Knee Surg. 21(2):154-62, 2008
Costa CR et al: Medial meniscus extrusion on knee MRI: is extent associated with severity of degeneration or type of tear? AJR Am J Roentgenol. 183(1):17-23, 2004
Kidron A et al: Radial tears associated with cleavage tears of the medial meniscus in athletes. Arthroscopy. 18(3):254-6, 2002
Ferrer-Roca O et al: Lesions of the meniscus. Part II: Horizontal cleavages and lateral cysts. Clin Orthop Relat Res. (146):301-7, 1980
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