High resolution, high field magnetic resonance imaging of joints: unexpected features in proton images of cartilage

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Abstract
Clinical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at normal resolution is of proven value in the diagnosis of joint disease (Reicher et al, 1985; Ehman et al, 1988). However, prospective studies of conditions such as osteoarthritis are technically more demanding, requiring reliable quantitative assessment of such parameters as cartilage thinning and matrix over-hydration. This report concerns the observation and explanation of some unexpected features in the high field, high resolution imaging of proximal interphalangeal joints in vivo (Cole et al, 1989) and of sections of knee joints in vitro. The results suggest that high resolution MR images of joints obtained by conventional methods should be interpreted with some caution, but that there may be scope for using some unusual MR properties of cartilage reported below as a probe of joint disease.

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