Chondromalacia - MRI grading by modified Noyes System
The modified Noyes system was published in 2009. It is a modification of the Noyes grading system for the purpose of MRI grading. The original Noyes grading system was based on arthroscopic findings.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| Grade 0 | normal cartilage |
| Grade 1 | increased T2 signal intensity of morphologically normal cartilage not oriented at 55° to the external magnetic field |
| Grade 2A | superficial partial-thickness cartilage defect <50% of total articular surface thickness |
| Grade 2B | deep partial-thickness cartilage defect >50% of total articular surface thickness |
| Grade 3 | full-thickness cartilage defect |
References:
1. Kijowski R, Blankenbaker DG, Davis KW, Shinki K, Kaplan LD, Smet AAD. Comparison of 1.5- and 3.0-T MR Imaging for Evaluating the Articular Cartilage of the Knee Joint1. Radiology. 2009 Mar 1;250(3):839–48.
2. Crema MD, Roemer FW, Marra MD, Burstein D, Gold GE, Eckstein F, et al. Articular Cartilage in the Knee: Current MR Imaging Techniques and Applications in Clinical Practice and Research. Radiographics. 2011 Jan 1;31(1):37–61.
3. Gagliardi JA, Chung EM, Chandnani VP, Kesling KL, Christensen KP, Null RN, et al. Detection and staging of chondromalacia patellae: relative efficacies of conventional MR imaging, MR arthrography, and CT arthrography. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1994 Sep;163(3):629–36.