ISSN:
1352-8661
Keywords:
acromegaly
;
artefacts
;
arthritis
;
cartilage
;
targeted MRI
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract Arthritis is intimately associated with the destruction of cartilage. High-resolution (100–200-μm)in vivo images of the finger joints have been obtained using a targeted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The study of asymptomatic subjects has enabled the normal anatomical zones of cartilage as visualised by MRI to be identified. In patients with advanced osteoarthritis features such as osteophytes and loss of cartilage are clearly demonstrated. An obvious question is whether MRI can be used to measure cartilage thickness and then whether this parameter can be utilized to quantify cartilage loss during the evolution of disease processes or response to therapy. However, there are a number of difficulties with this measurement which are discussed. It is possible that more valuable insights may be gained by careful choice of specific arthropathies to be studied—for example, acromegaly, which can lead to osteoarthritis—offers a way of observing subtle early changes that occur in the cartilage and subchondral bone.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01705282
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