Seminars in musculoskeletal radiology
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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol · Jun 2002
ReviewConsiderations in metatarsalgia and midfoot pain: an MR imaging perspective.
There are many conditions that have the potential to produce the symptom of pain in the metatarsal and midfoot regions. Pathologic processes that cause pain include post-traumatic disorders, circulatory disorders, arthritides, neuroarthropathy, and conditions that result in a biomechanical imbalance in the foot. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a powerful imaging tool since it provides a noninvasive method for diagnosis of different foot disorders. In this article, we will discuss the MR manifestation of a number of pathologic entities that elicit foot pain as a primary symptom.
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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol · Mar 2002
ReviewTechnical considerations: CT and MR imaging in the postoperative orthopedic patient.
Cross-sectional imaging utilizing computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have become routine components in the imaging assessment of patients with musculoskeletal disease. Unfortunately, in the setting of a postoperative orthopedic patient with associated orthopedic metallic instrumentation, these imaging techniques are prone to artifacts resulting in image quality degradation. An understanding of the physical basis of such metal-related artifacts, and their appearance on CT and MR imaging, has led investigators to the implementation of a series of techniques and modifications to imaging protocols to decrease CT and MR imaging artifacts in the vicinity of metallic instrumentation. Utilizing such modified imaging techniques, consistent, improved CT and MR image quality may be achieved in imaging of the postoperative orthopedic patient.
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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol · Dec 2001
ReviewPostoperative magnetic resonance imaging of articular cartilage repair.
The treatment of articular cartilage injuries remains a challenge because cartilage has a limited capacity for spontaneous repair. Over the past decade, a number of surgical interventions have been developed to produce a durable repair. This article reviews the available treatment options, including their indications, technique, and clinical results, and illustrates the MR imaging appearance of normal repair sites and postoperative complications.
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Phalangeal microgeodic syndrome specifically affects the phalanges in infants. The radiographic findings are characterized by small lacunae measuring less than 1 mm in diameter in the phalanges. The symptoms usually subside spontaneously within 2 to 3 months with no residual deformity. Accurate diagnosis is possible by radiologists with knowledge on this disease entity.
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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol · Jan 2000
ReviewEvaluation of the postoperative spine: reducing hardware artifacts during magnetic resonance imaging.
The magnetic susceptibility artifact created by the hardware that is a mainstay of today's surgical techniques can complicate magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the postoperative spine. This article reviews the physical principles that underlie production of the magnetic susceptibility artifact, as well as the imaging parameters that can be altered to reduce artifact and improve visualization of the areas of concern. Those imaging parameters that most greatly affect artifact production are the strength of the ambient magnetic field, the type of sequence chosen, echo time, the strength and orientation of the frequency encoding gradient, the resolution along the frequency encoding axis as determined by field of view (FOV) and the number of pixels in the frequency encoding direction, the orientation of the hardware to the main magnetic field, the section thickness, and the orientation of the imaging plane.