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Evers et al: Accuracy of needle arthroscopy for the diagnosis of medial meniscal tears in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • Needle arthroscopy (NA) had 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity for detecting medial meniscal tears using standard arthroscopy (SA) as the reference.
  • NA correctly identified meniscal status in 25/26 dogs, missing only one stable nondisplaced tear.
  • NA took less time than SA: 8 ± 3 min vs. 15 ± 9 min (P = .0041).
  • Visibility scores were significantly lower with NA than SA for all meniscal horns (medial and lateral) .
  • Probing difficulty was greater with NA, especially for the lateral meniscus (P = .0017).
  • NA caused no measurable morbidity: lameness scores were unchanged before and after the procedure (P = .25).
  • NA was possible in sedated dogs, though 10/26 required additional anesthesia due to delays.
  • NA missed 1 lateral tear, likely due to reduced access and lack of shaving compared to SA.

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← Articles

Evers et al: Accuracy of needle arthroscopy for the diagnosis of medial meniscal tears in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture
Veterinary Surgery 7, 2023

🔍 Key Findings

  • Needle arthroscopy (NA) had 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity for detecting medial meniscal tears using standard arthroscopy (SA) as the reference.
  • NA correctly identified meniscal status in 25/26 dogs, missing only one stable nondisplaced tear.
  • NA took less time than SA: 8 ± 3 min vs. 15 ± 9 min (P = .0041).
  • Visibility scores were significantly lower with NA than SA for all meniscal horns (medial and lateral) .
  • Probing difficulty was greater with NA, especially for the lateral meniscus (P = .0017).
  • NA caused no measurable morbidity: lameness scores were unchanged before and after the procedure (P = .25).
  • NA was possible in sedated dogs, though 10/26 required additional anesthesia due to delays.
  • NA missed 1 lateral tear, likely due to reduced access and lack of shaving compared to SA.

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Evers 2023 et al., on needle arthroscopy, what was the average time for needle arthroscopy compared to standard arthroscopy?

A. Needle: 5 min, Standard: 12 min
B. Needle: 10 min, Standard: 20 min
C. Needle: 8 min, Standard: 15 min
D. Needle: 6 min, Standard: 18 min
E. Needle: 9 min, Standard: 14 min

Answer: Needle: 8 min, Standard: 15 min

Explanation: Needle arthroscopy averaged 8 ± 3 minutes vs. 15 ± 9 for standard arthroscopy (*P = .0041*).
In Evers 2023 et al., on needle arthroscopy, which meniscal tear was missed by needle arthroscopy?

A. A bucket-handle tear of the lateral meniscus
B. A stable nondisplaced medial meniscal tear
C. A complex degenerative medial tear
D. A vertical lateral tear
E. None were missed

Answer: A stable nondisplaced medial meniscal tear

Explanation: The only miss was a stable nondisplaced medial tear—likely subtle on visualization.
In Evers 2023 et al., on needle arthroscopy, what was observed about morbidity following needle arthroscopy?

A. Increased lameness at 1 week
B. Delayed healing in >20% of cases
C. No measurable morbidity
D. High postoperative effusion
E. Occasional need for analgesia beyond 5 days

Answer: No measurable morbidity

Explanation: Lameness scores did not change post-procedure (*P = .25*), indicating excellent tolerance.
In Evers 2023 et al., on needle arthroscopy, what was the reported sensitivity for detecting medial meniscal tears?

A. 80%
B. 85%
C. 90%
D. 95%
E. 100%

Answer: 95%

Explanation: Needle arthroscopy had 95% sensitivity and 100% specificity using standard arthroscopy as the reference.
In Evers 2023 et al., on needle arthroscopy, what was a common limitation of needle arthroscopy compared to standard arthroscopy?

A. Higher infection rate
B. Uncontrolled bleeding
C. Poor visualization of meniscal horns
D. More sedation needed
E. Less access to the cranial cruciate ligament

Answer: Poor visualization of meniscal horns

Explanation: Visibility scores were significantly lower for needle arthroscopy across all meniscal regions.

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