Arthrography of the Knee Joint

1 History of Arthrography.- 2 Technique of Double Contrast Arthrography.- 2.1 Introduction.- 2.2 Injection of Contrast Media.- 2.3 Arthrography.- 2.3.1 Cruciate Ligaments.- 2.3.2 Menisci.- 2.3.3 Patellofemoral Joint.- 2.3.3.1 Lateral Projections.- 2.3.3.2 Tangential Projections.- 2.4 Aftercare and Complications of Arthrography.- 2.4.1 Hydrops.- 2.4.2 Allergic Reactions.- 2.4.3 Air Embolism.- 2.4.4 Arthritis.- 3 Meniscal Lesions.- 3.1 Specific Anatomy.- 3.1.1 Medial Meniscus.- 3.1.2 Lateral Meniscus.- 3.2 Meniscal Functions.- 3.3 Friction and Lubrication.- 3.3.1 Interface Lubrication.- 3.3.2 Buffer Lubrication.- 3.3.3 Elastohydrodynamic Lubrication.- 3.3.4 Sponge Lubrication.- 3.3.5 Lubrication by a Transient Increase in Viscosity.- 3.4 Etiology of Meniscal Lesions.- 3.4.1 Mobility of the Menisci.- 3.4.2 Risk-Increasing Factors.- 3.5 Normal Radiologic Anatomy of the Menisci.- 3.5.1 Medial Meniscus.- 3.5.2 Normal Lateral Meniscus.- 3.5.3 Spurious Meniscal Lesions.- 3.6 Meniscal Lesions.- 3.6.1 Meniscal Ruptures.- 3.6.1.1 Tangential Incisure.- 3.6.1.2 Longitudinal Ruptures.- 3.6.1.3 Fish Mouth Ruptures.- 3.6.1.4 Transverse Ruptures.- 3.6.1.5 Combined Ruptures.- 3.6.2 Types of Discoid Meniscus.- 3.6.3 Degeneration of Meniscal Cartilage.- 3.6.3.1 Primary Degeneration.- 3.6.3.2 Secondary Degeneration.- 3.6.4 State After Meniscectomy.- 3.7 Correlation Between Arthrography and Arthroscopy.- 4 Lesions of the Patellofemoral Joint.- 4.1 Anatomy and Physiology of the Patellofemoral Joint.- 4.2 Articular Cartilage.- 4.2.1 Histology.- 4.2.2 Nutrition of Cartilage.- 4.2.3 Properties of Cartilage.- 4.2.4 Cartilage Degeneration.- 4.2.5 Normal Radiologic Anatomy.- 4.3. Etiology of Patellar Chondropathy.- 4.3.1 General Aspects.- 4.3.2 Mechanical Lesions of the Patellar Cartilage.- 4.3.2.1 Exogenous Factors.- Direct Lesion of the Patella.- Overstress.- Fractures.- 4.3.2.2 Endogenous Factors.- Patellar Dysplasia.- Patella Partita.- Dysplasia of the Facies Patellaris Femoris.- High Patella.- Low Patella.- Increased Patellar Mobility.- Increased Pressure in the Patellofemoral Joint.- 4.3.3 Non-Mechanical Lesions of the Patellar Cartilage.- 4.4 Radiologic Diagnosis of Patellar Chondropathy.- 4.4.1 Radiologic Examination Without Contrast Medium.- 4.4.2 Double Contrast Arthrography.- 4.5 Correlation Between Double Contrast Arthrography and Arthroscopy.- 5 Cruciate Ligaments.- 5.1 Anatomy of the Cruciate Ligaments.- 5.2 Radiologic Technique.- 5.3 Radiologic Anatomy of the Cruciate Ligaments.- 5.3.1 Anterior Cruciate Ligament.- 5.3.2 Posterior Cruciate Ligament.- 5.4 Etiology of Cruciate Ligament Ruptures.- 5.5 Cruciate Ligament Pathology.- 5.5.1 Abnormal Delimitation of the Cruciate Ligaments.- 5.5.2 Abnormal Displacement of the Tibia in Relation to the Femur.- 5.5.3 Irregular Structures Within the Cruciate Ligament Compartments.- 5.6 Accuracy of Arthrographic Cruciate Ligament Diagnosis.- 6 Joint Capsule, Collateral Ligaments, Hoffa Body and Bursae.- 6.1 Capsule, Hoffa Body, and Collateral Ligaments.- 6.2 Bursae.- 6.2.1 Suprapatellar Bursa.- 6.2.2 Semimembranosogastrocnemial Bursa.- 6.2.3 Popliteal Bursa.- 7 Lesions of the Articular Cartilage.- 7.1 General Aspects.- 7.2 Etiology and Double Contrast Arthrography.- 7.2.1 Primary Form.- 7.2.2 Secondary Form.- 7.2.2.1 Direct Injury.- 7.2.2.2 Indirect Injury.- Meniscal Lesions.- Cruciate and Collateral Ligament Lesions.- Osteochondritis Dissecans.- Inflammations.- Changed Pressures.- Hemophilia.- Metabolic Disorders.- References.