MRI UNDERESTIMATES PRESENCE AND SIZE OF KNEE OSTEOPHYTES USING CT AS A REFERENCE STANDARD

Abstract

Purpose: The radiographic diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis (OA) is based on the presence of a definite osteophyte (OP) on the a.p. or p.a. radiograph. OPs represent fibrocartilaginous and skeletal outgrowths that are frequently localized at the joint margins, but central osteophytes may also be observed, especially at the femoral notch. Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials commonly employ MRI using standard clinical sequences and OP assessment is one of the features included in whole organ ordinal OA grading.