Meniscus Bucket Handle Tear Mri

The bow tie rule 1 2 is a useful mr interpretation sign that should increase a reader s sensitivity for the detection of bucket handle tears.

Meniscus bucket handle tear mri. The bow tie rule simply stated is that the normal meniscal body should be seen as at least two consecutive bow ties on consecutive sagittal images. The medial meniscus is more often involved than the lateral meniscus. A bucket handle tear of the meniscus occurs on the outer portion of the meniscus cartilage and causes a vertical slice through the meniscus. A bucket handle tear is a type of vertical longitudinal tear of the meniscus with displacement of the inner fragment into the intercondylar notch.

The attachments of the meniscus remain intact and the torn portion of the meniscus pulls into the center of the joint. Unfortunately bucket handle tears of the meniscus are one of the more frequently missed tear patterns with mr imaging. Bucket hand tears can manifest as sensitive but not specific signs 1.