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Technical note: MRI device for active stress of the knee. The practical approach and preliminary data

Risonanza magnetica funzionale del ginocchio con prototipo RM compatibile. Tecnica di impiego e dati preliminari

  • Muskuloskeletal Radiology/Radiologia Muscolo-Scheletrica
  • Published:
La radiologia medica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to test the potential application of a new nonmagnetic device capable of diagnostically evaluating stress of the knee joint during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation.

Materials and methods

The Knee Loader® prototype was applied to an MRI scanner with a 1.5-T superconducting magnet. Twenty healthy subjects were assessed in both baseline conditions and again after applying a known amount of force (in kg) to various joints. Standard MR techniques were employed. The degree of anterior and posterior tibial translation and variations in the width of the rim in varus and valgus were measured in millimetres.

Results

In 12 cases, the anterior drawer test demonstrated a rest-stress variation between 0 and 2 mm, and in two cases, the posterior drawer test was between 1 and 3 mm. In the four cases assessed at valgus angulations and the two cases assessed at varus angulations, the opening of medial and lateral compartment was between 1 and 2 mm.

Conclusions

The preliminary data regarding this new MR method, performed using the Knee Loader® prototype, demonstrate that it is possible to obtain functional images of the knee comparable with those obtained by traditional radiological techniques. Its potential advantage lies in the fact that, given the absence of ionising radiation, the investigation can be repeated as necessary, ensuring anatomical visualisation of all joint components under stress.

Riassunto

Obiettivo

Lo scopo del nostro lavoro è quello di verificare l’applicabilità di un nuovo apparecchio amagnetico in grado di effettuare esami diagnostici in condizioni di stress articolare in risonanza magnetica.

Materiali e metodi

È stato applicato il prototipo Knee Loader® ad una apparecchiatura di RM con magnete superconduttivo da 1,5 T. Sono stati eseguiti 20 esami RM in volontari sani, in condizioni di base e con l’impiego di una forza di entità nota (in kg) sui diversi compartimenti articolari. Sono state impiegate tecniche RM standard. Sono stati misurati l’entità in millimetri della traslazione tibiale anteriore e posteriore e gli angoli di varo-valgo.

Risultati

In 12 casi il test del cassetto anteriore ha mostrato una variazione tra 0 mm e 2 mm; in 2 casi il test del cassetto posteriore è risultato essere compreso tra 1 mm e 3 mm. In 4 casi in valgo stress ed in 2 casi in varo stress l’apertura del compartimento mediale e laterale è stata di 1 mm e 2 mm.

Conclusioni

La nuova metodica consente di ottenere immagini funzionali del ginocchio in modo analogo a quanto possibile con radiologia tradizionale. I potenziali vantaggi rispetto alle radiografie tradizionali di ginocchio sono sostanzialmente quelli della RM e della visualizzazione di tutte le componenti endoarticolari sottostress. Saranno necessari ulteriori studi per essere in grado di correlare dati anatomici, patologici e funzionali delle strutture capsulo-legamentose di ginocchio, utilizzando il prototipo Knee Loader® in studio.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. U.O.C. di Radiologia Diagnostica ed Interventistica, Ospedale “S. Giovanni Calibita”, Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina, Via di Ponte Quattro Capi 39, 00186, Roma, Italy

    A. Bellelli & P. Mancini

  2. MIKAI S.p.a., Genova, Italy

    C. Miglietta

  3. Università “La Sapienza”, Roma, Italy

    M. Artico

Authors
  1. A. Bellelli
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  2. P. Mancini
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  3. M. Artico
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  4. C. Miglietta
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Correspondence to P. Mancini.

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Bellelli, A., Mancini, P., Artico, M. et al. Technical note: MRI device for active stress of the knee. The practical approach and preliminary data. Radiol med 113, 905–914 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-008-0305-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-008-0305-2

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