[Study of femoro-tibial cartilage diseases with MRI]

Magnetic resonance imaging provides excellent tissue contrast resolution and can therefore be used to visualize joint cartilage. The goal of this study was to evaluate the value of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of femorotibial cartilage lesions. Spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 37 patients. As compared with arthroscopy, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of magnetic resonance imaging were 72.5%, 47%, and 95.5%, respectively. Only advanced cartilage lesions with exposure of subchondral bone were clearly seen on magnetic resonance sections. Limiting factors included insufficient spatial resolution and the chemical shift phenomenon. Spin-echo sequences used in everyday practice are not appropriate for detecting small cartilage lesions. Controlled studies are needed to determine whether gradient echo sequences are more satisfactory.