The role of magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of musculoskeletal system

Abstract

Last two decades, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has emerged as one of the main modalities in musculoskeletal imaging. With MR imaging, there is no emission of damaging ionizing radiation, and hence, this is one of the most important feature of this technique. With the excellent soft tissue contrast resolution it displays, MR imaging is being used as the primary modality in joint imaging and tumour staging. With the advances in coil technology, its usage accelerated in the relatively small joints such as elbow, wrist and hand. In occult trauma cases where radiograms and computerized tomography are incapable of showing the marrow changes, MR images are superb with the soft tissue resolution it yields. MR imaging is also irreplaceable in the evaluation of internal derangements of joints, showing delicate soft tissue structures. In this section, these and other indications for MR imaging in the evaluation of musculoskeletal system diseases, touching to some of the basic features of the modality, will be discussed.