Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee: current status, new directions

A number of techniques for magnetic resonance imaging of the knee are reviewed. Spin-echo imaging sequences are at present the most widely used and are capable of demonstrating a wide range of pathology including cruciate and collateral ligament tears, meniscal abnormalities, and synovial disease. Fast scan imaging provides effective T2-weighting without the time penalty of T2-weighted spin-echo imaging. These fast scan techniques have also permitted the development of novel sequences including radial techniques and three-dimensional Fourier transform/volume acquisition (which may potentially become the imaging technique of choice in the knee). Inversion recovery may play an important role in evaluating cartilage disorders in the future. The strengths of each technique are discussed together with possible clinical applications.