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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2012; 16(02): 071-087
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311759
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Cartilage Imaging of the Hand and Wrist Using 3-T MRI

Marc-André Weber
1   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology , University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
,
Falko von Stillfried
2   Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
,
Jost K. Kloth
1   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology , University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
,
Christoph Rehnitz
1   Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology , University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
30 May 2012 (online)

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Abstract

The prevalence of osteoarthritis of the hand and wrist is high, and a thorough assessment of even subtle cartilage injuries is necessary before surgical interventions. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been established as an important diagnostic tool for the evaluation of hand and wrist disorders, the focus has been on the assessment of the triangular fibrocartilage complex, tendons, ligaments, and the detection of avascular necrosis or occult fractures rather than on cartilage imaging. 3-T MR systems have become more and more widely available and yield an improved signal-to-noise ratio and thus a higher spatial resolution than 1.5-T systems. In principle, this should be especially beneficial for depicting the thin cartilage layers of the hand and wrist. This review focuses on cartilage imaging of the hand and wrist with 3-T MRI and addresses these four topics: (1) the advantages of 3-T versus 1.5- and 1-T MRI, (2) dedicated sequence protocols at 3 T including novel three-dimensional sequences, (3) imaging findings in common cases of overuse or sports injury, and (4) functional cartilage imaging techniques of the hand and wrist, for instance, delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of the cartilage.

Keywords

magnetic resonance imaging - hand - wrist - cartilage - 3 Tesla - functional imaging
 

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