Morphologic MRI may not detect subtle and slow changes in tissue that may occur with degeneration, remodeling or healing.
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Clinical Challenge
Technical Approach
Use novel sequences such as Ultrashort Time-to-Echo (UTE) MRI and high spatial resolution afforded by latest , and the newest morphologic techniques tailored for small tissues.
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Knee Conventional
This conventional MRI of a knee shows articular cartilage and menisci with medium to low signal intensity.
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Knee UTE
UTE MRI reveals deep and calcified layers of articular cartilage (arrows) and menisci (triangle) with high signal intensity.
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Spine Conventional
This conventional MRI of a spine shows cartilage endplates with low signal intensity, making it difficult to evaluate them.
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Spine UTE
UTE MRI reveals the structure of cartilage endplates with high contrast. Both normal and abnormal structures could be discerned here.
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Wrist Conventional
Conventional coronal fluid sensitive sequence of the wrist shows intermediate signal of articular cartilage, and low signal in the triangular fibrocartilage (TFC).
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Wrist UTE
UTE sequence of the wrist shows bright signal in the deep and calcified layer of cartilage (arrow) and in the triangular fibrocartilage (arrowhead) (TFC).
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TMJ Conventional
Conventional sagittal fluid sensitive sequence of the TMJ shows the low signal intensity disc and the mandibular condyle.
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TMJ UTE
UTE sequence of the TMJ shows bright signal in the disc (arrows) and in the fibrocartilage covering the mandibular condyle (arrowhead).
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Tendon Conventional
Conventional sagittal MR image of the ankle shows the low signal intensity Achilles tendon.
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Tendon UTE
UTE sequence of the ankle shows normal fasciculation (white arrow) in the tendon and a region of tendinosis (orange arrow) that could not be seen on the standard MRI.
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