Molar Tooth in the Knee - A Case of Simultaneous Medial and Lateral Bucket Handle Tear with Arthroscopic Correlation and a Review of Literature

J Orthop Case Rep. 2022 Jan;12(1):79-83. doi: 10.13107/jocr.2022.v12.i01.2628.

Abstract

Introduction: Simultaneous bucket handle tear of both lateral and medial menisci is a rarely encountered entity. MR imaging helps in pre-operative diagnosis for optimal operative planning. However, as this condition is not seen in routine practice, awareness of various imaging signs is essential to identify this condition. Few signs on coronal and sagittal images have been described in the literature but none so far on axial images.

Case presentation: We propose a novel "molar tooth sign" in the knee on axial MRI images, in which we identified in the case of a young male with recurrent knee locking after a fall from height.

Conclusion: Different modes of injury can lead to different patterns of meniscal and ligament tears. Having an allied sign which is, furthermore, easy to imagine will help, not only the radiologists but also the surgeons, to identify rare types of meniscal tears similar to the index case.

Keywords: Bicompartmental bucket handle tear; arthroscopy of knee; meniscal repair; molar tooth.

Publication types

  • Case Reports