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MR Arthrography of the Knee
Andrew H. Haims1, Lee D. Katz, Patrick A. Ruwe
1Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.
Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology
|June 2, 2001
Summary
Magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) enhances knee imaging for specific injuries. MRA improves diagnostic accuracy for meniscal retears and osteochondritis dissecans evaluation when noncontrast MRI is insufficient.
Area of Science:
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
- Radiology
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has limitations in evaluating certain knee pathologies.
- Clinical scenarios exist where standard MRI provides suboptimal diagnostic information for knee injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) in specific knee conditions.
- To demonstrate how MRA supplements noncontrast MRI for improved diagnostic accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Review of clinical situations where MRA offers advantages over noncontrast MRI.
- Discussion of MRA's role in diagnosing postoperative meniscal pathology and osteochondritis dissecans.
Main Results:
- MRA significantly increases diagnostic accuracy for meniscal retears, especially after resection or repair.
- Intra-articular contrast in MRA aids in evaluating osteochondritis dissecans by differentiating tissue types.
Conclusions:
- MRA is a valuable tool to augment noncontrast MRI for specific knee injuries.
- MRA improves the assessment of articular cartilage, loose bodies, and fibrovascular tissue in osteochondritis dissecans.