MRI is the gold standard in the imaging study of meniscal lesions.

For many years traditional high-field MR systems have been used in traumatology but since the beginning of the '90s thanks to technological progress and improvement of image quality MR systems dedicated to the study of the distal joints have been progressively introduced to reduce the waiting lists of the whole body MR scanners (orthopaedic radiology accounts for about 20% of the total number of MR exams).

New concept dedicated MR systems are characterized by a small magnet in which the patient only has to introduce the limb concerned, staying with the rest of the body outside of the magnet.

Patients' compliance is very high due to a more comfortable position, less noise generated by the sequences and to the ability to communicate with medical staff, especially in claustrophobic patients. The other advantage is the lower cost of the individual exam.

Although our study needs to be confirmed by other studies involving larger series of patients and different 1.5 T scanners, nevertheless it suggests that high-field MR systems and the new concept dedicated MR system have similar diagnostic potential in detecting meniscal lesions.

According to Reader's A interpretation the most useful sequence in the study of the menisci is the sagittal SE T1 for the high-field system and the sagittal STIR for the dedicated system.

According to Reader's B interpretation the most useful sequence in the study of the menisci is the sagittal STIR for the high-field system and the sagittal STIR for the dedicated system.