title: Dedicated extremity MR imaging of the knee: how low can you go?
abstract: Low-field strength, dedicated extremity MR imaging systems can provide clinically effective MR images at substantially lower costs, compared with high-field strength, whole-body MR imaging machines. Dedicated extremity units also reduce risks of patient safety and claustrophobia. The diagnostic performance of presently existing extremity MR scanners rivals that of high-field strength units. Focusing on the imaging of the knee joint, this article discusses issues of technique, imaging protocol, clinical roles, and economics, and reviews diagnostic efficacy studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, Wisconsin 53792-3252, USA.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Hollister
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue; D016477:Artifacts; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005682:Gadolinium; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D005682:Gadolinium