Two-slice-touch rule (knee MRI)
Last revised by Dr Daniel J Bell ◉ on 15 Mar 2018
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Knipe, H., Bell, D. Two-slice-touch rule (knee MRI). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 06 Jul 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-32949
Permalink:
rID:
32949
Article created:
Revisions:
7 times by 4 users - see full revision history
System:
Section:
Synonyms:
- Two-slice-touch rule
The two-slice-touch rule is a sign on MRI of the knee used to increase the sensitivity of diagnosing meniscal tears.
This rule states a meniscal tear is present if abnormal findings are present on two or more images - these do not have to be contiguous, e.g. can occur on sagittal and coronal slices but at the same anatomical location. The only exception to this rule applies to a meniscal root tear, for which abnormal signal in only one slice is considered highly specific for an underlying tear. A possible meniscal tear is present if abnormal findings are present on only one slice in other types of meniscal tear.
Quiz questions
{"containerId":"expandableQuestionsContainer","displayRelatedArticles":true,"displayNextQuestion":true,"displaySkipQuestion":true,"articleId":32949,"mcqUrl":"https://radiopaedia.org/articles/two-slice-touch-rule-knee-mri/questions/1112?lang=us"}
References
- 1. De Smet AA, Tuite MJ. Use of the "two-slice-touch" rule for the MRI diagnosis of meniscal tears. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2006;187 (4): 911-4. doi:10.2214/AJR.05.1354 - Pubmed citation
- 2. De Smet AA. How I diagnose meniscal tears on knee MRI. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2012;199 (3): 481-99. doi:10.2214/AJR.12.8663 - Pubmed citation
Related articles: Knee pathology
The knee is a complex synovial joint that can be affected by a range of pathologies:
- bone and cartilage
-
knee fractures
- distal femoral condyle fracture
- tibial plateau fracture (classification)
- patella fracture
-
avulsion fractures of the knee
- arcuate complex avulsion fracture (arcuate sign)
- anterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture
- biceps femoris avulsion fracture
- iliotibial band avulsion fracture
- quadriceps tendon avulsion fracture
- patellar sleeve fracture
- posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture
- reverse Segond fracture
- Segond fracture
- semimembranosus tendon avulsion fracture
- Stieda fracture chronic avulsion injuries
- dislocation
- chondromalacia patellae
- osteoarthritis of the knee
- osteochondral
- patterns of bone bruise in knee injury
-
knee fractures
- ligaments
- anterior cruciate ligament tear
- anterior cruciate ligament ganglion cyst
- anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration
- posterior cruciate ligament tear
- medial collateral ligament tear
- lateral collateral ligament tear
- medial patellofemoral ligament tear
- posterolateral corner injury
- posteromedial corner injury
- tendons
- meniscal lesions
- bursosynovial lesions
- fat pad
- popliteal fossa
- fascia
- alignment
- knee
- patellofemoral
- gamut