Merit Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

084-096

Authors: Adem Togal, Bozkurt Gulek, Gokhan Soker, Omer Kaya, Mehmet Sirik, Eda Soker, and Ayse Yildirim Celikdemir

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a superb modality in the examination and evaluation of the musculoskeletal system, and in particular, the knee joint. The superiority of MRI in knee joint imaging is due to its certain advantages over other imaging modalitites. First of all MRI is a noninvasive modality. It also can obtain direct multiplanar visualization, and has overwhelming superiority in assessing soft tissue contrast. In this study, the imaging data from knee joint imaging done by a 0.2 T low field-strength open MR scanner was evaluated and compared with the literatuıre data obtained from 1.5 T high field-strength MR imaging, and it was seen that the two groups of data were similar and in congruence. This finding led us to the conclusion that low field-strength MR imaging is as effective as 1.5 T high-field MR imaging in the evaluation of the knee joint, and it can well be utilized especially in patients who suffer clostrophobia and other restrictive conditions which prohibit them from getting into a closed-bore system. Keywords: Knee, MRI, Low field-strength MRI, Open MRI, Permanent magnet MRI