MSK
3-D MRI is ideal for MSK Imaging because MSK pathologies can be investigated with higher spatial resolution, like looking at slides on high power field under a microscope rather than low power. You see more subtle abnormalities and can more confidently diagnose one pathological entity from another based on the improved spatial information. For example, bone marrow edema can be separated into traumatic versus degenerative etiologies. Tiny abnormalities that fall below the typical through-plane 5mm resolution of most.
The inherent 3D spatial resolution is typically 1mm or smaller as compared to slice thicknesses of 3mm or greater with conventional MSK 2D sequences and even thicker slice profiles are usually obtained when one considers that images are often acquired with an inter-slice gap rather than contiguous slice acquisitions.
Pathologies in MSK MRI studies often go undetected with 2D imaging. With 3D imaging you can see those abnormalities clearly. Ligaments that cannot be resolved on conventional exams or are difficult to evaluate when only seen on one or two slices are now able to be interrogated in 10 to 20 clear slices. Guessing whether the ligament is torn or not is a relic of past 2D techniques not the current 3D state of the art. Articular cartilage defects are more easily detected and more easily quantified as to whether they are partial or full thickness.
Ankle Case Studies/Sources:
1. https://static.healthcare.siemens.com/siemens_hwem-hwem_ssxa_websites-context-root/wcm/idc/groups/public/@global/@imaging/@mri/documents/download/mdaz/mdmz/~edisp/mri_57_carrino-01390786.pdf
2. https://static.healthcare.siemens.com/siemens_hwem-hwem_ssxa_websites-context-root/wcm/idc/groups/public/@global/@imaging/@mri/documents/download/mda2/ntm4/~edisp/magnetom-flash-66_high-resolution-isotropic-3d-caipirinha-space-mri-of-the-musculoskeletal-system_fritz-03537378.pdf
3. https://static.healthcare.siemens.com/siemens_hwem-hwem_ssxa_websites-context-root/wcm/idc/groups/public/@global/@imaging/@mri/documents/download/mday/njqw/~edisp/mri_50_notohamiprodjo-01348476.pdf
Knee Case Studies/Sources:
1. https://static.healthcare.siemens.com/siemens_hwem-hwem_ssxa_websites-context-root/wcm/idc/groups/public/@global/@imaging/@mri/documents/download/mdaw/mti1/~edisp/3d_high_resolution_mri_of_the_knee-00027453.pdf
