title: [Technique and value of direct MR arthrography applying articular distraction].
abstract: Direct MR arthrography has a better diagnostic accuracy than MR imaging alone. However, contrast material is not always homogeneously distributed in the articular space. Lesions of cartilage surfaces or intra-articular soft tissues can thus be misdiagnosed. Concomitant application of axial traction during MR arthrography leads to articular distraction. This enables better distribution of contrast material in the joint and better delineation of intra-articular structures. Therefore, this technique improves detection of cartilage lesions. Moreover, the axial stress applied on articular structures may reveal lesions invisible on MR images without traction. Based on our clinical experience, we believe that this relatively unknown technique is promising and should be further developed.
authors.affiliation: Service de radiodiagnostic et radiologie interventionnelle, CHUV, Université de Lausanne, 1011 Lausanne.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Becce
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wettstein
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guntern
authors.forename: Elyazid
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mouhsine
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Palhais
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Theumann
mesh_terms: D001175:Arthrography / Q000379:methods*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014143:Traction