Bilateral discoid medial menisci: a rare phenomenon

Bilateral Discoid Medial Menisci: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Bilateral discoid medial menisci are exceptionally rare and of uncertain pathoetiology. We report on a case in an active adolescent woman who presented with bilateral medial knee joint line pain. Clinical evaluation and MRI identified atypical bilateral discoid medial menisci bilaterally. The patient underwent bilateral meniscal saucerization, with no pain at 4 months postoperation, and returned to competitive sport.

Bilateral Discoid Medial Menisci: A Case Report

CASE

We present the case of a 37-year-old man with features of a meniscal tear in 1 symptomatic knee and radiographic findings of discoid menisci in both knees. A provisional diagnosis of bilateral discoid medial menisci was made. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the discoid nature of the medial menisci in both knees. The symptomatic knee was managed with good results by partial meniscectomy using a routine arthroscopic procedure.

CONCLUSION

Discoid medial meniscus is a relatively rare pathology of the knee joint, and bilateral cases are extremely rare. A high index of suspicion is necessary for diagnosis; only symptomatic knees should be treated surgically.

Bilateral discoid medial meniscus associated with meniscal tears and hypoplasia of the medial femoral condyle: A case report

RATIONALE

Bilateral discoid medial menisci is an extremely rare abnormality of the knee joint. The presence of a discoid medial meniscus has been associated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radiographic changes in the tibial region, such as cupping of the medial tibial plateau and tibial physis collapse. While discoid medial meniscal tears with hypoplasia of the femoral medial condyles have not been previously reported. Herein, we report a case of bilateral discoid medial menisci associated with meniscal tears and femoral bone changes.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 28-year-old man presented with left knee pain and restricted range of motion; the right knee was asymptomatic.

DIAGNOSES

Based on radiographic and MRI findings, he was diagnosed with bilateral discoid medial meniscal tears.

INTERVENTIONS

Partial meniscectomy and reshaping were performed for the torn discoid medial meniscus of the left knee only.

OUTCOMES

MRI revealed short, flattened femoral medial condyles in the coronal and sagittal planes, and hypoplasia of the femoral medial condyles in the axial plane; these findings were confirmed arthroscopically in the left knee. The patient had a satisfactory results at the 12-month follow-up.

LESSONS

This case indicates a potential link between discoid medial menisci and hypoplasia of the femoral medial condyle. We recommend preservation of the discoid medial meniscus in asymptomatic patients, while arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and reshaping is recommended in symptomatic patients.