RadioGraphics, Vol 7, 645-683, Copyright © 1987 by Radiological Society of North America
High resolution surface coil magnetic resonance imaging of the joints: anatomic correlation
WD Middleton, S Macrander, TL Lawson, JB Kneeland, JD Cates, GM Kellman, GF Carrera, WD Foley, A Jesmanowicz and JS Hyde
Department of Radiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Magnetic resonance imaging appears to be a particularly promising approach
to the evaluation of articular and periarticular abnormalities. Its ability
to produce images in multiple planes directly (without reconstruction)
provides a unique advantage over CT for the radiologist when he attempts to
interpret the complex three dimensional anatomy of most joints. The
inherent contrast resolution of MR is excellent, and with the use of
surface coils, spatial resolution is sufficient to permit the
identification of the small soft tissue structures in and around joints.
Artifacts generated by respiratory and cardiac motion are not a problem in
MRI of the joints as they are in MR scanning of the body. Based on all
these qualities, we believe that MRI will play an important role in the
diagnosis of joint abnormalities.
