Magnetic resonance imaging: skeletal applications.

It has been assumed that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) would have limited utility in visualizing bones, due to the lack of hydrogen atoms in cortical bone. Nonetheless, that same lack makes it possible to clearly distinguish cortical bone from soft tissue and from marrow. Thus, roles are described for magnetic resonance imaging in depicting bone and soft tissue tumors, the spine (including the spinal cord and vertebral discs), and appendicular soft tissue, as well as the detection of avascular necrosis in the hip.