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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2021; 25(03): 455-467
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1730400
Review Article

3D MRI of the Knee

Faysal Altahawi
1   Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Jason Pierce
2   Diagnostic Radiology Residency, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Mercan Aslan
1   Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Xiaojuan Li
1   Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
3   Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Carl S. Winalski
1   Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
3   Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
,
Naveen Subhas
1   Section of Musculoskeletal Imaging, Imaging Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
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Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the knee is widely used in musculoskeletal (MSK) imaging. Currently, 3D sequences are most commonly used for morphological imaging. Isotropic 3D MRI provides higher out-of-plane resolution than standard two-dimensional (2D) MRI, leading to reduced partial volume averaging artifacts and allowing for multiplanar reconstructions in any plane with any thickness from a single high-resolution isotropic acquisition. Specifically, isotropic 3D fast spin-echo imaging, with options for tissue weighting similar to those used in multiplanar 2D FSE imaging, is of particular interest to MSK radiologists. New applications for 3D spatially encoded sequences are also increasingly available for clinical use. These applications offer advantages over standard 2D techniques for metal artifact reduction, quantitative cartilage imaging, nerve imaging, and bone shape analysis. Emerging fast imaging techniques can be used to overcome the long acquisition times that have limited the adoption of 3D imaging in clinical protocols.

Keywords

3D knee MRI - isotropic resolution - multiplanar reconstruction - cartilage imaging


Publication History

Article published online:
21 September 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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