MRI of cartilage.

摘要

Evaluation of articular cartilage plays an integral roie in the assessment of the musculoskeletal system. Osteoarthritis is a highly prevalent chronic disease affecting millions of Americans and is one of the most common causes of disability in the United States. Many individuals in our country and worldwide also suffer from the debilitating effects of inflammatory, crystalline-induced, and infectious arthritis. New medical and surgical treatment options are now available to treat these individuals. However, noninvasive methods are needed to identify patients who can be treated early and aggressively to prevent future morbidity and to monitor the response to medical and surgical interventions.Due to its high spatial resolution, multiplanar capability, and excellent tissue contrast, MRI is the noninvasive modality of choice for evaluating articular cartilage in both the clinical and the research setting.