Musculoskeletal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Articles

Musculo-skeletal magnetic resonance imaging using inversion recovery pulse sequences at 0.08 T

The potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the assessment of musculo-skeletal tumours has until recently been underestimated. Most reports in the literature describe the MRI appearances of musculo-skeletal tumours using spin-echo pulse sequences with high field, superconductive magnets. This paper describes the use of inversion recovery pulse sequences using a low field resistive magnet for the study of musculo-skeletal disorders. Thirty patients who had either radiological evidence of a bone tumour or a soft tissue mass were studied by low field MRI and inversion recovery, and calculated T1 images compared with the tissue histology of the mass. It has been found that inversion recovery images display the size and extent of both bone and soft tissue tumours and that the use of coronal and axial images enable clear display of the relationship of bone and soft tissue tumours to the major blood vessels, muscle and cortical bone.

Pediatric Musculoskeletal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

MRI has demonstrated clinical applicability and improved diagnostic capability in the musculoskeletal system to a degree rivaling its success in the neurologic system. For certain regions such as the joints, the superficial nature of these structures is ideal for the application of localized radiofrequency coils, enabling considerably improved signal, spatial resolution, and detectable contrast. The multiplanar capability is often invaluable in assessing such regions as the weight-bearing surfaces of the hips. It has been shown to be the most sensitive single test for diagnosing avascular necrosis, and has yielded very high resolution images of the internal architecture of the joints and soft tissues in an entirely noninvasive manner and without the need for the administration of exogenous contrast agents. Short TE images are quite useful in evaluating fatty background regions of interest, such as the bone marrow and subcutaneous tissue, whereas long TR and TE studies are frequently more suitable for soft tissue pathology. The lack of ionizing radiation and the continued failure of intensive research to disclose any deleterious effects at the levels used for clinical diagnostic imaging make this tool especially appealing for application to the pediatric population. With the continual development of new pulsing sequences, contrast agents, and further advances in imaging/spectroscopic correlation, magnetic resonance imaging of the musculoskeletal system is ensured of a solid role in the clinical diagnostic evaluation of the pediatric population.

Artifacts, Normal Variants, and Imaging Pitfalls of Musculoskeletal Magnetic Resonance Imaging

This article is an early attempt to catalogue some of the many artifacts, normal variants, and imaging pitfalls that the authors have seen in musculoskeletal MRI. The study of such phenomena is potentially very rewarding and may help to prevent some cases of misdiagnosis with MRI.