Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

In vivo Macrophage Imaging Using MR Targeted Contrast Agent for Longitudinal Evaluation of Septic Arthritis
07:15

In vivo Macrophage Imaging Using MR Targeted Contrast Agent for Longitudinal Evaluation of Septic Arthritis

Published on: October 20, 2013

Usefulness of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI in differentiating between septic arthritis and transient synovitis in

Eun Young Kim1, Kyu-Sung Kwack, Jae Ho Cho

  • 1Department of Radiology, Ajou University School of Medicine, San 5, Woncheon-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon 443-721, Republic of Korea.

AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|January 24, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) effectively differentiates septic arthritis from transient synovitis in painful hip joints. The optimal imaging time for diagnosis is approximately 3.5 minutes post-contrast administration.

Area of Science:

  • Radiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Orthopedics

Background:

  • Septic arthritis and transient synovitis are common causes of painful hip joints in children and adults.
  • Differentiating between these conditions is crucial for appropriate treatment and to prevent long-term joint damage.
  • Conventional MRI may not always provide definitive differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the utility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in distinguishing septic arthritis from transient synovitis.
  • To determine the optimal time window for contrast-enhanced MRI acquisition in painful hip joints.

Main Methods:

  • Eighteen patients with painful hip joints underwent DCE-MRI.
  • Patients were diagnosed with either septic arthritis (n=7) or transient synovitis (n=11).
  • Enhancement patterns were analyzed using time-signal intensity curves; maximal difference timing was recorded.

Main Results:

  • Six out of seven septic arthritis cases showed decreased early-phase enhancement on DCE-MRI.
  • A statistically significant difference in enhancement patterns was observed between the two groups (p=0.0498).
  • The optimal time for maximal signal intensity difference was approximately 3.5 minutes, with an Area Under the Curve of 0.792 for predicting septic arthritis.

Conclusions:

  • DCE-MRI is a valuable tool for differentiating septic hip arthritis from transient synovitis.
  • Acquiring contrast-enhanced coronal MRI at approximately 3.5 minutes post-contrast is recommended for optimal diagnostic accuracy.

More Related Videos

Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy06:45

Automated Joint Space Detection Improves Bone Segmentation Accuracy

Published on: November 28, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Ultrasonography01:17

Ultrasonography

Ultrasonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the body's internal structures. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it widely used in various medical fields. Ultrasonography is used to study heart function, blood flow in the neck or extremities, certain conditions such as gallbladder disease, and fetal growth and development.
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called a...
Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management01:28

Acute Pyelonephritis II: Diagnostic Studies and Management

Introduction:For diagnosing acute pyelonephritis, a comprehensive patient history is collected to identify symptoms such as dysuria, frequent or urgent urination, flank pain, or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness that may suggest a kidney infection.Physical ExaminationDuring the physical examination, CVA tenderness is assessed. This involves gentle percussion over the costovertebral angle, where tenderness often indicates a kidney infection.Diagnostic TestsUrinalysis: Used to identify white...
Magnetic Resonance Imaging01:24

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...