title: Morphologic imaging of articular cartilage.
abstract: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging plays an integral role in the assessment of articular cartilage. This article discusses the role of MR imaging in the evaluation of articular cartilage, the appearance of cartilage lesions on MR imaging, and the currently available MR imaging techniques for evaluating cartilage morphology. A limitation of currently available sequences is their inability to consistently detect superficial degenerative and posttraumatic cartilage lesions that may progress to more advanced osteoarthritis. In the future, improved image quality may allow for better evaluation of articular cartilage and earlier detection of cartilage lesions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Denver, Leprino Building, 12401 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. colin.strickland@ucdenver.edu
authors.forename: Colin D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kijowski
mesh_terms: D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis*