Keywords:
Musculoskeletal joint, Extremities, MR, Imaging sequences, Athletic injuries
Authors:
F. A. Chagas-Neto1, M. H. Nogueira-Barbosa2, M. M. Lorenzato2, R. Salim2, M. Kfuri-Junior2, M. D. Crema3; 1Fortaleza- Ceara/BR, 2Ribeirão Preto/BR, 3Brasília, DF/BR
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2013/C-1715
Purpose
- Knee MRI protocols often use sequences based on two-dimensional (2D) acquisitions with different fluid sensitive weights,
acquired in three orthogonal planes (coronal,
axial and sagittal).
These sequences are widely used in clinical practice in different scenarios as well as in clinical trials.1,2,3
- Although the 2D sequences exhibit high spatial resolution,
they are acquired with relatively thick slices,
and may present gaps between slices,
which might generate partial volume artifacts.
It is also impossible to generate reconstructions in multiple planes without significant loss of quality using 2D sequences as the source for reformation.
- Three-dimensional (3D) MR imaging with isotropic or nearly isotropic resolution techniques has the potential to improve both quality and efficiency of MRI use in the musculoskeletal system,
as well as increase patient comfort by reducing the time required for its acquisition1.
These volumetric acquisitions may be used to create multiplanar reconstructions,
thereby eliminating the need to repeat sequences with the same tissue contrast in different planes.
- The VISTA (Volume Isotropic Turbo Spin-Echo Acquisition - Philips Medical Systems) MRI technique provides high-resolution volumetric intermediate-weighted images acquired with a 3D-Turbo Spin-Echo (TSE) acquisition and it is clinically available for both 1.5 and 3.0T systems.
- To the best of our knowledge,
the diagnostic performance of 3D-TSE VISTA MRI sequence for detection of internal derangements of the knee has not yet been tested on a 1.5 T unit.
- The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of 3D-TSE (VISTA) MRI acquisition technique at 1.5T in the diagnosis of meniscal and ligamentous lesions compared to 2D-TSE standard protocol,
taking prompt surgical findings (arthroscopy) as the reference standard.