Simone Scherer, Kauê Danilo Helene Lemos dos Reis, Bernardo Schmitt, Alessandra Ventura da Silva, Marcelo Meller Alievi
Background
In veterinary medicine, accurate sizing of the meniscus is essential for successful meniscal transplantation in dogs, particularly medium to large breeds frequently affected by cranial cruciate ligament instability. There is a lack of validated radiographic methods to predict meniscal size in dogs. This study aimed to establish equations to estimate the medial meniscus dimensions using radiographic measurements of the proximal tibia.
Methods
Twenty-four pelvic limbs from twelve medium- to large-breed dog cadavers were radiographed in mediolateral (90° and 135° stifle flexion) and craniocaudal views. The tibial plateau and medial tibial condyle were measured, and the medial meniscus was enhanced with a cyanoacrylate and tantalum mixture to allow radiographic visualization. Meniscal dimensions were obtained both anatomically and from contrast-enhanced radiographs. Linear regression models were developed to correlate tibial measurements with meniscus size.
Results
Significant correlations were observed between radiographic tibial measurements and actual meniscal dimensions. The regression equations showed strong predictive value, particularly for medial meniscus width (R² = 0.77) and length in 90° flexion (R² = 0.69). Intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated good to excellent agreement between radiographic and anatomical measurements. Differences between radiographic and actual meniscus measurements were minimal, typically less than 1 mm.
Limitations
Limitations included the use of cadaveric limbs without severe joint disease, which may differ from clinical cases. Positioning challenges and meniscus film breakage in some cases potentially introduced measurement errors. The study did not account for sex differences or investigate the impact of degenerative joint disease.
Conclusions
The study presents a reliable radiographic method for estimating the medial meniscus size in medium- to large-breed dogs, offering valuable guidance for meniscal transplantation planning. The validated equations can enhance presurgical assessment and improve outcomes by ensuring size-matched grafts.
Measurement on simple radiographs TPL ML90 (A), TPL ML135 (B), and MTCW CrCd (C). Measurement of the contrasted Meniscus in CMML ML90 (D), CMML ML135 (E), and CMMW CrCd (F). Abbreviations: TPL ML90, tibial plateau length measurement in mediolateral 90° radiograph positioning; TPL ML135, tibial plateau length measurement in mediolateral 135° radiograph positioning; MTCW CrCd, medial tibial condyle width measurement in craniocaudal radiograph positioning; CMML ML90, contrasted medial meniscus length measurement in mediolateral 90° radiograph positioning; CMML ML135, contrasted medial meniscus length measurement in mediolateral 135° radiograph positioning; CMMW CrCd, contrasted medial meniscus width measurement in craniocaudal radiograph positioning.
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