Keywords:
Inflammation, Infection, Arthritides, Technical aspects, Diagnostic procedure, Contrast agent-intravenous, PACS, MR-Functional imaging, MR, Musculoskeletal system, Musculoskeletal joint
Authors:
M. K. Kim, S.-H. Choi, H. Y. Lee ; Seoul/KR
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2011/C-2224
Purpose
MRI is considered to be the imaging technique of choice for the detection of joint infection because its
high spatial resolution and soft tissue contrast allow accurate depiction of joint effusion and synovial abnormalities.
Synovial bacterial infection induces synovitis,
in which the classic MRI findings are synovial thickening and joint effusion.
The presence of synovial inflammation is associated with a gadolinium-enhanced MR T1 signal increase that helps to distinguish synovial hyperplasia from tendons,
cartilage,
and effusion [1].
Infectious arthritis is a common,
often disabling disease that requires early diagnosis for optimal outcome [2].
Diagnosing infectious arthritis early in its course is important because delayed diagnosis may result in cartilage and joint destruction arising from the action of enzymes released from neutrophils,
synovial cells,
and bacteria [3].
Therefore,
this dynamic study was performed quantitative analysis of the synovial enhancement pattern for the early detection of infectious arthritis.