title: High-field magnetic resonance imaging of meniscoids in the zygapophyseal joints of the human cervical spine.
abstract: METHODS
  Prospective in vitro study of meniscoids in the cervical zygapophysial joints. OBJECTIVES.: To assess the use of high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential tool for evaluating meniscoids of the cervical zygapophysial joints.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Pain originating from the cervical spine is a frequent condition. It has been suggested that pathologic conditions of meniscoids within the zygapophysial joints may cause pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six zygapophysial joints from one embalmed human body were investigated with a 3.0-T MR unit, equipped with a microimaging-set. MRIs were correlated with microanatomical sections.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High-quality images of the meniscoids were obtained for all joints examined. There was a good correlation between the anatomic features derived from MRI and the microanatomical sections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-field MRI was successfully implemented as a noninvasive method for imaging the meniscoids in cervical zygapophysial joints. The results of this in vitro study indicate that high-field MRI may be feasible in evaluating patients with cervical pain possibly related to meniscoid pathology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Medical University Vienna, MR Center of Excellence, Vienna, Austria. klaus.friedrich@meduniwien.ac.at
authors.forename: Klaus M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Trattnig
authors.forename: Steven A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Millington
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Friedrich
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Groschmidt
authors.forename: Michael L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Pretterklieber
mesh_terms: D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D002102:Cadaver; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D021801:Zygapophyseal Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology*