title: Low-field MR arthrography of the shoulder joint: technique, indications, and clinical results.
abstract: In the age of cost containment and urgent reductions in health care expenditures, new options have to be explored to satisfy both diagnostic requirements and economic limitations. The introduction of low-field MR systems for assessment of joint disorders seemed to be an option for lower costs. The purpose of this article is to summarize available experiences with low-field MR arthrography of the glenohumeral joint with respect to image quality and diagnostic accuracy in detecting labral and rotator cuff lesions. Up to now, there has been only a limited number of studies available dealing with low-field MR arthrography of the glenohumeral joint. They reveal that, despite a minor image quality in comparison with high-field imaging, low-field MR arthrography of the shoulder allows for sufficient evaluation of intra- and extra-articular structures in the detection of major abnormalities such as glenohumeral instability or rotator cuff disease. Furthermore, open-configured MR scanners enable kinematic studies: Besides the analysis of normal motion, pathological findings in patients with instabilities and impingement syndrome can be delineated. They further offer the possibility for performing MR imaging-guided arthrography of the shoulder. This was first described using an open C-arm scanner with a vertically oriented magnetic field so that MR arthrography may be performed in one setting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Johannes Gutenberg University, Langenbeckstrasse 1, 55131 Mainz, Germany. kreitner@radiologie.klinik.uni-mainz.de
authors.forename: K-F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Kreitner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Loew
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Runkel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zöllner
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thelen
mesh_terms: D001175:Arthrography / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003363:Cost Control / Q000191:economics; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000191:economics; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C033300:iotrolan; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA