What's new in cartilage?

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of articular cartilage is important in evaluation of new surgical and pharmacologic treatments for cartilage damage. Many techniques exist for MR imaging of articular cartilage. Standard techniques for morphologic imaging of cartilage include fast spin-echo and spoiled gradient-echo imaging.

MR imaging of normal and matrix-depleted cartilage: correlation with biomechanical function and biochemical composition.

Purpose: To correlate articular cartilage function, as reflected in biomechanical properties and biochemical composition, with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging parameters of normal articular cartilage and cartilage partially depleted of matrix components.

Materials And Methods: Normal articular cartilage from 12 porcine patellae was evaluated biomechanically, biochemically, and with MR imaging (with and without gadolinium enhancement). The patellae were then enzymatically treated to deplete the matrix of either collagen or proteoglycan and then reevaluated biomechanically, biochemically, and with MR imaging.

MR imaging of tendon, ligament, and osseous abnormalities of the ankle and hindfoot.

This article serves as an overview of the pathologic processes that are seen in the foot and ankle. MRI can play a pivotal role in making precise diagnoses and then guiding treatment decisions. MRI can be extremely helpful in determining response to therapy.