Michele Bandirali

Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis: Does Warm Saline Solution Improve the Short-term Outcome of Double-Needle US-guided Treatment?

PURPOSE To determine whether saline temperature influences procedure performance and outcome in patients undergoing ultrasonography (US)-guided lavage for the treatment of rotator cuff calcific tendinitis (RCCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the institutional review board, and informed consent was obtained from all patients. From December 2009 to May 2011, 462 patients (191 men and 271 women; mean age, 39.7 years) with painful RCCT diagnosed at US were prospectively enrolled and randomized into two groups. Operators subjectively classified calcifications as hard, soft, or fluid according to their appearance at US. US-guided percutaneous treatment of RCCT (local anesthesia, double-needle lavage, intrabursal steroid injection) was performed with warm saline (42°C, 107°F) in 229 patients and with room-temperature saline in 233. Operators and patients were not blinded to saline temperature. The ease of calcium dissolution was subjectively scored (easy=1, intermediate=2, difficult=3). Procedure duration was recorded. Patient discomfort was assessed by using a visual analog scale (VAS). The occurrence of postprocedure bursitis was recorded. Statistical analyses were performed with Mann-Whitney U, χ2, and analysis of variance tests. RESULTS Procedure duration was significantly shorter (P<.001) in patients treated with warm saline (mean, 576 seconds±121) than in those treated with room-temperature saline (mean, 777 seconds±151). Calcium dissolution was significantly easier in patients treated with warm saline (median score, 1) than in those treated with room-temperature saline (median score, 2). Subgroup analysis according to calcification appearance at US showed a significant difference between groups for both soft (P=.003) and hard (P<.001) calcifications. No overall significant differences were found for VAS score (warm saline group: baseline=8.9±0.6, 1 month=4.7±0.6, 2 months=4.0±0.7, 3 months=3.4±0.4, 1 year=3.0±0.7; room-temperature saline group: baseline=9.2±0.4, 1 month=4.5±0.7, 2 months=4.1±0.9, 3 months=3.1±0.7, 1 year=3.2±0.8; P=.491). Postprocedural bursitis was observed in eight patients in the warm saline group and 20 in the room-temperature saline group (P<.022). CONCLUSION In the treatment of RCCT, warm saline appears to reduce procedure duration and improve calcification dissolution while reducing the frequency of postprocedural bursitis.

MR imaging of the knee in patients with medial unicompartmental arthroplasty: comparison among sequences at 1.5 T

PurposeThis study was done to test a series of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences of the knee after medial unicompartmental arthroplasty.Materials and methodsFour patients who had undergone Oxford III medial unicompartmental arthroplasty underwent 1.5-T MR imaging of the operated knee using coronal sequences: T1-weighted spin-echo (SE), T1-weighted turbo SE (TSE), proton-density (PD)- and T2-weighted TSE, T1-weighted gradient echo (GE), short-tau inversion recovery (STIR), multi echo data image combination (MEDIC), T2*-weighted GE, volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE), and dual-echo steady state (DESS). For each sequence, we evaluated the visibility of the anatomical structures of the central pivot, lateral compartment, and anterior compartment using a semiquantitative score (0=total masking; 1=insufficient visibility; 2=sufficient visibility; 3=optimal visibility). The sum of the scores given to each sequence was divided by the maximal sum, obtaining a percentage visibility index. Friedman and sign tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsMR examination time was 30–32 min. No patients reported pain, heat or other local discomfort. The visibility index ranged between 83% and 89% for the first four sequences without significant differences among them, 58% for STIR and 11%–36% for the last five sequences. Significant differences were found between each of the four first sequences and the remaining sequences (p<0.004) and between STIR and the last five sequences (p<0.008).ConclusionsMR imaging of the knee after medial unicompartmental arthroplasty was not associated with adverse events. An imaging protocol including SE, TSE and STIR sequences could be used to study the knee with unicompartmental arthroplasty.RiassuntoObiettivoTestare una serie di sequenze RM in pazienti portatori di protesi monocompartimentale mediale del ginocchio.Materiali e metodiQuattro pazienti portatori di protesi monocompartimentale mediale Oxford III sono stati sottoposti a RM a 1,5 T mediante scansioni coronali: spin-echo (SE) pesata in T1; turbo-SE (TSE) pesata in T1; TSE pesata in densità protonica (DP) e T2; gradient-echo (GE) pesata in T1; short tau inversion recovery (STIR); multi echo data image combination (MEDIC); GE pesata in T2*; volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE); dual echo steady state (DESS). Per ciascuna sequenza è stata valutata la visibilità delle strutture anatomiche del pivot centrale, del compartimento laterale e del compartimento anteriore mediante un punteggio semiquantitativo (0=totale mascheramento; 1=insufficiente riconoscibilità; 2=sufficiente riconoscibilità; 3=ottimale riconoscibilità). La somma dei punteggi riportati da ciascuna sequenza è stata divisa per il valore massimo ottenibile, ottenendo un indice percentuale di riconoscibilità. Analisi statistica mediante test di Friedman e test dei segni.RisultatiL’indagine RM è durata circa 30–32 minuti. Nessun paziente ha lamentato dolore, riscaldamento o altre sensazioni locali. L’indice di riconoscibilità è risultato tra l’83% e l’89% per le prime quattro sequenze, senza differenze significative tra loro, 58% per la STIR e tra l’11% e il 36% per le ultime cinque sequenze. Sono risultate significative le differenze tra le prime quattro sequenze e le rimanenti sei sequenze (p<0,004) e tra la STIR e le ultime cinque sequenze (p<0,008).ConclusioniL’indagine RM del ginocchio con protesi monocompartimentale mediale non comporta l’insorgenza di eventi avversi. Le sequenze SE, TSE e STIR potrebbero essere utilmente incluse in un protocollo per lo studio del ginocchio con protesi monocompartimentale mediale.

Less is better? Intraindividual and interindividual comparison between 0.075 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine and 0.1 mmol/kg of gadoterate meglumine for cranial MRI

PURPOSE To retrospectively compare a reduced dose (RD) (0.075 mmol/kg) of gadobenate dimeglumine (RD-gadobenate) with standard single dose (SSD) (0.1 mmol/kg) of gadoterate meglumine (SSD-gadoterate) for cranial MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-one patients (12 males; aged 52 ± 16 years) underwent cranial MRI with SSD-gadoterate and repeated the examination with RD-gadobenate after a median interval of 10 months. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was obtained on contrast-enhanced images for enhancing lesions (n=10) as well as for right and left transverse venous sinuses, internal carotid arteries, and parotid glands. Moreover, a consecutive series of 100 cranial MRI with SSD-gadoterate (49 males; aged 51 ± 19 years) was compared with a consecutive series of 100 cranial MRI with RD-gadobenate (45 males; aged 54 ± 18 years). Two blinded neuroradiologists (R1, R2) judged contrast enhancement as sufficient, good, or optimal. Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, χ(2), and Cohen κ statistics were used. RESULTS At intraindividual analysis, median SNR ranged 57-88 for SSD-gadoterate and 79-99 for RD-gadobenate, the latter being systematically higher, the difference being significant for both transverse venous sinuses (p ≤ 0.011), not significant for both internal carotid arteries and both parotid glands, and enhancing lesions (p ≤ 0.101). The two series of interindividual analysis were not significantly different for gender/age (p>0.415). Contrast enhancement was optimal in 59% (R1) and 76% (R2) of patients using RD-gadobenate, in 39% (R1) and 49% (R2) of patients using SSD-gadoterate (p ≤ 0.016), with substantial reproducibility (κ ≥ 0.606). CONCLUSION Both analyses showed an equal or better contrast enhancement when using RD-gadobenate compared to SSD-gadoterate for routine cranial MRI. The high relaxivity of gadobenate allowed for a 25% dose reduction.

Dose absorption in lumbar and femoral dual energy x-ray absorptiometry examinations using three different scan modalities: An anthropomorphic phantom study

The aim of this study was to measure the effective dose on an anthropomorphic phantom undergoing lumbar and femoral dual energy X-ray absorption (DXA) examinations, using 3 different scan modalities (fast-array [FA], array [A], high-definition [HD]), and assess the differences in the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) of cancer due to radiation. An anthropomorphic phantom was used. Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed over 12 anatomic phantom regions and outside the room (to measure background radiation). Fifty scans on the femur and spine were performed for each mode. The dose relative to a single DXA scan for each dosimeter was measured (mean over the 50 scans) and the background radiation was then subtracted. The equivalent dose per organ was obtained. The total body effective dose was calculated by adding the equivalent doses. We estimated the lifetime dose absorption and LAR for cancer for a male and a female patient undergoing 36 DXA studies (18 lumbar, 18 femoral) every 21 months for 32 years. The effective dose for lumbar scans was FA = 17.79 μSv, A = 32.88 μSv, HD = 31.08 μSv; for femoral scans, FA = 5.29 μSv, A = 9.55 μSv, HD = 7.54 μSv. LAR estimation showed a minimal increase in cancer risk (range 4.55 × 10⁻⁴% [FA, femoral, male] to 4.02 × 10⁻³% [A, lumbar, female]). The lifetime dose absorption and LAR for cancer for a male and a female patient undergoing 36 DXA studies (18 lumbar, 18 femoral) every 21 months for 32 years were 0.756 mSv, 3.82 × 10(-3)% and 0.756 mSv, 5.11 × 10⁻³%, respectively. DXA examinations cause radiation levels that are comparable to the background radiation. Regardless of the scan modality or the anatomic site, a patient undergoing DXA scans for a lifetime has a negligible increased risk of developing cancer.

Magnetic resonance imaging of painful total hip replacement: detection and characterisation of periprosthetic fluid collection and interobserver reproducibility

Purpose. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when measuring and characterising periprosthetic fluid collections in patients with painful hip prosthesis and to provide an estimation of interobserver reproducibility. Materials and methods. Nineteen patients (mean agePurposeThe purpose of our study was to demonstrate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when measuring and characterising periprosthetic fluid collections in patients with painful hip prosthesis and to provide an estimation of interobserver reproducibility.Materials and methodsNineteen patients (mean age 59±13 years) with painful total hip replacement and clinical suspicion of infection underwent MRI. Images were reviewed blindly by two musculoskeletal radiologists with different levels of experience who evaluated the presence/absence of soft tissue oedema or fluid collection (when present, three-plane maximal diameters were measured; involvement of skin/subcutaneous/deep tissues or prosthesis were estimated; fluid was classified as serous/purulent/haematic according to signal behaviour). Interobserver agreement was calculated (Cohen’s ).ResultsA total of 26 MRI studies were carried out (three patients underwent two and two patients underwent three MRI examinations). Both readers detected soft tissue oedema (13/26, 50%) or fluid collection (21/26, 81%) and characterised the fluid as serous (9/21, 43%), purulent (8/21, 38%) or haematic (4/21, 19%). The collection involved skin/subcutaneous tissues (16/21, 76%), deep soft tissues (19/21, 91%) or the implant (12/21, 57%). For all evaluations, interobserver agreement was complete (=1). No significant differences were found between the measurements of the collections (p>0.258).ConclusionsMRI is highly reproducible in detection, localisation, quantification, and characterisation of fluid collections when the presence of implant infection is clinically suspected.RiassuntoObiettivoLo scopo del nostro lavoro è stato dimostrare il valore diagnostico della risonanza magnetica (RM) nel misurare le dimensioni e caratterizzare le raccolte fluide periprotesiche in pazienti con protesi d’anca dolorosa, calcolando anche la riproducibilità interosservatore.Materiali e metodiDiciannove pazienti (età media 59±13 anni) con protesi d’anca dolorosa e sospetto clinico di infezione sono stati sottoposti a RM. Le immagini sono state riviste in cieco da due radiologi con differente esperienza in radiologia scheletrica che hanno valutato la presenza/assenza di edema dei tessuti molli o di una raccolta periprotesica. In presenza di raccolta, sono stati misurati i tre diametri maggiori, è stato stimato il coinvolgimento della cute/sottocute/tessuti molli o della protesi; la raccolta è stata caratterizzata come sierosa/purulenta/ematica in base al comportamento del segnale. È stata calcolata la riproducibilità interosservatore (κ di Cohen).RisultatiTre pazienti sono stati sottoposti a due indagini RM e due pazienti a tre indagini RM per un totale di 26 studi. Entrambi i lettori hanno riscontrato edema dei tessuti molli (13/26, 50%) o raccolte fluide (21/26, 81%) ed hanno caratterizzato la raccolta fluida come sierosa (9/21, 43%), purulenta (8/21, 38%) o ematica (4/21, 19%). La raccolta coinvolgeva cute/sottocute (16/21, 76%), i tessuti molli profondi (19/21, 91%) o la protesi (12/21, 57%). Per tutte le osservazioni, la riproducibilità interosservatore è stata completa (κ=1). Non è stata osservata differenza significativa tra le misure delle raccolte rilevate dai due lettori (p>0,258).ConclusioniLa RM è una modalità diagnostica altamente riproducibile per riconoscere, localizzare, quantificare e caratterizzare raccolte fluide periprotesiche quando l’infezione è sospettata clinicamente.

Risonanza magnetica dell'anca protesizzata dolorosa: Riconoscimento e caratterizzazione delle raccolte fluide periprotesiche e valutazione della riproducibilità interosservatore

Purpose. The purpose of our study was to demonstrate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when measuring and characterising periprosthetic fluid collections in patients with painful hip prosthesis and to provide an estimation of interobserver reproducibility. Materials and methods. Nineteen patients (mean agePurposeThe purpose of our study was to demonstrate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when measuring and characterising periprosthetic fluid collections in patients with painful hip prosthesis and to provide an estimation of interobserver reproducibility.Materials and methodsNineteen patients (mean age 59±13 years) with painful total hip replacement and clinical suspicion of infection underwent MRI. Images were reviewed blindly by two musculoskeletal radiologists with different levels of experience who evaluated the presence/absence of soft tissue oedema or fluid collection (when present, three-plane maximal diameters were measured; involvement of skin/subcutaneous/deep tissues or prosthesis were estimated; fluid was classified as serous/purulent/haematic according to signal behaviour). Interobserver agreement was calculated (Cohen’s ).ResultsA total of 26 MRI studies were carried out (three patients underwent two and two patients underwent three MRI examinations). Both readers detected soft tissue oedema (13/26, 50%) or fluid collection (21/26, 81%) and characterised the fluid as serous (9/21, 43%), purulent (8/21, 38%) or haematic (4/21, 19%). The collection involved skin/subcutaneous tissues (16/21, 76%), deep soft tissues (19/21, 91%) or the implant (12/21, 57%). For all evaluations, interobserver agreement was complete (=1). No significant differences were found between the measurements of the collections (p>0.258).ConclusionsMRI is highly reproducible in detection, localisation, quantification, and characterisation of fluid collections when the presence of implant infection is clinically suspected.RiassuntoObiettivoLo scopo del nostro lavoro è stato dimostrare il valore diagnostico della risonanza magnetica (RM) nel misurare le dimensioni e caratterizzare le raccolte fluide periprotesiche in pazienti con protesi d’anca dolorosa, calcolando anche la riproducibilità interosservatore.Materiali e metodiDiciannove pazienti (età media 59±13 anni) con protesi d’anca dolorosa e sospetto clinico di infezione sono stati sottoposti a RM. Le immagini sono state riviste in cieco da due radiologi con differente esperienza in radiologia scheletrica che hanno valutato la presenza/assenza di edema dei tessuti molli o di una raccolta periprotesica. In presenza di raccolta, sono stati misurati i tre diametri maggiori, è stato stimato il coinvolgimento della cute/sottocute/tessuti molli o della protesi; la raccolta è stata caratterizzata come sierosa/purulenta/ematica in base al comportamento del segnale. È stata calcolata la riproducibilità interosservatore (κ di Cohen).RisultatiTre pazienti sono stati sottoposti a due indagini RM e due pazienti a tre indagini RM per un totale di 26 studi. Entrambi i lettori hanno riscontrato edema dei tessuti molli (13/26, 50%) o raccolte fluide (21/26, 81%) ed hanno caratterizzato la raccolta fluida come sierosa (9/21, 43%), purulenta (8/21, 38%) o ematica (4/21, 19%). La raccolta coinvolgeva cute/sottocute (16/21, 76%), i tessuti molli profondi (19/21, 91%) o la protesi (12/21, 57%). Per tutte le osservazioni, la riproducibilità interosservatore è stata completa (κ=1). Non è stata osservata differenza significativa tra le misure delle raccolte rilevate dai due lettori (p>0,258).ConclusioniLa RM è una modalità diagnostica altamente riproducibile per riconoscere, localizzare, quantificare e caratterizzare raccolte fluide periprotesiche quando l’infezione è sospettata clinicamente.

Reporting rotator cuff tears on magnetic resonance arthrography using the Snyder’s arthroscopic classification

AIM To determine diagnostic performance of magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) in evaluating rotator cuff tears (RCTs) using Snyder’s classification for reporting. METHODS One hundred and twenty-six patients (64 males, 62 females; median age 55 years) underwent shoulder MRA and arthroscopy, which represented our reference standard. Surgical arthroscopic reports were reviewed and the reported Snyder’s classification was recorded. MRA examinations were evaluated by two independent radiologists (14 and 5 years’ experience) using Snyder’s classification system, blinded to arthroscopy. Agreement between arthroscopy and MRA on partial- and full-thickness tears was calculated, first regardless of their extent. Then, analysis took into account also the extent of the tear. Interobserver agreement was also calculated the quadratically-weighted Cohen kappa statistics. RESULTS On arthroscopy, 71/126 patients (56%) had a full-thickness RCT. The remaining 55/126 patients (44%) had a partial-thickness RCT. Regardless of tear extent, out of 71 patients with arthroscopically-confirmed full-thickness RCTs, 66 (93%) were correctly scored by both readers. All 55 patients with arthroscopic diagnosis of partial-thickness RCT were correctly assigned as having a partial-thickness RCT at MRA by both readers. Interobserver reproducibility analysis showed total agreement between the two readers in distinguishing partial-thickness from full-thickness RCTs, regardless of tear extent (k = 1.000). With regard to tear extent, in patients in whom a complete tear was correctly diagnosed, correct tear extent was detected in 61/66 cases (92%); in the remaining 5/66 cases (8%), tear extent was underestimated. Agreement was k = 0.955. Interobserver agreement was total (k = 1.000). CONCLUSION MRA shows high diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility in evaluating RCTs using the Snyder’s classification for reporting. Snyder’s classification may be adopted for routine reporting of MRA.

Is Carotid Plaque Contrast Enhancement on MRI Predictive for Cerebral or Cardiovascular Events? A Prospective Cohort Study

Objective The aim of this study was to correlate carotid plaque contrast enhancement (CPCE) to onset of cerebral/cardiovascular events (CCVE) in patients with atherosclerotic carotid disease. Methods The ethics committee approved this prospective study. Patients with carotid artery stenosis underwent magnetic resonance angiography before/after injection of 0.1 mmol/kg of gadobenate dimeglumine. Carotid plaque contrast enhancement was graded as follows: 0, no CPCE; 1, 1 single enhancement focus; 2, 2 or more foci. Results Seventy-seven patients (71 ± 9 years) had a stenosis degree: 34 mild, 16 moderate, 27 severe at the right side, and 36, 15, and 25 at the left side. Carotid plaque contrast enhancement was 0 in 30 patients, 1 in 26, 2 in 11 at the right, and 37, 19, and 13 at the left. Forty-seven CCVE occurred after magnetic resonance imaging, correlated to both stenosis degree (P = 0.006) and CPCE (P = 0.032). Excluding surgery/stenting, the correlation held only for CPCE (P = 0.017). Of 49 patients showing CPCE, 5 (10%) reported CCVE; of 21 patients without CPCE, none reported CCVE (P = 0.129). Conclusions The absence of CPCE seems to be a negative predictor for CCVE.

Measurement of vertebral bone marrow lipid profile at 1.5-T proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and bone mineral density at dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: Correlation in a swine model

Bone marrow is mainly composed of red (hematopoietic) and yellow (fatty) components [1, 2]. Soon after the birth there is a physiological conversion of the bone marrow from red to yellow, so that the percentage of hematopoietic cells and adipocytes changes with aging [3]. Although bone marrow adipogenesis is a physiologic process involving all mammals [3], recent studies showed an accelerated marrow adipogenesis associated with several chronic conditions, including osteoporosis [4] and diabetes mellitus [5]. Moreover, this increased marrow fat is accompanied by a decrease in bone density [4, 5]. Marrow fat is therefore increasingly believed to influence the bone microenvironment [3, 6, 7]. Diagnostic tools for quantitative measurement of bone marrow fat and bone mineral density (BMD) include proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and dual-energy Xray absorptiometry (DXA), respectively. Using MRS, an inverse relationship between vertebral bone marrow fat content and lumbar BMD has been demonstrated in patients affected with osteoporosis [4] or with diabetes mellitus [5]. In most studies, a quite standard MRS sequence has been used, with short echo times (TE) for the measurement of the bulk methylene. In this study we sought to optimize the MRS sequence in order to try to measure other fat components of the vertebral bone marrow at 1.5 T. For this purpose, we used an animal model that allowed long acquisition times and repeated measures. Moreover, we aimed at estimating in this model the relationship between vertebral bone marrow fat content at proton MRS and BMD at DXA.

Risonanza magnetica del ginocchio in pazienti con protesi monocompartimentale mediale: confronto tra sequenze a 1,5 T

PurposeThis study was done to test a series of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sequences of the knee after medial unicompartmental arthroplasty.Materials and methodsFour patients who had undergone Oxford III medial unicompartmental arthroplasty underwent 1.5-T MR imaging of the operated knee using coronal sequences: T1-weighted spin-echo (SE), T1-weighted turbo SE (TSE), proton-density (PD)- and T2-weighted TSE, T1-weighted gradient echo (GE), short-tau inversion recovery (STIR), multi echo data image combination (MEDIC), T2*-weighted GE, volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE), and dual-echo steady state (DESS). For each sequence, we evaluated the visibility of the anatomical structures of the central pivot, lateral compartment, and anterior compartment using a semiquantitative score (0=total masking; 1=insufficient visibility; 2=sufficient visibility; 3=optimal visibility). The sum of the scores given to each sequence was divided by the maximal sum, obtaining a percentage visibility index. Friedman and sign tests were used for statistical analysis.ResultsMR examination time was 30–32 min. No patients reported pain, heat or other local discomfort. The visibility index ranged between 83% and 89% for the first four sequences without significant differences among them, 58% for STIR and 11%–36% for the last five sequences. Significant differences were found between each of the four first sequences and the remaining sequences (p<0.004) and between STIR and the last five sequences (p<0.008).ConclusionsMR imaging of the knee after medial unicompartmental arthroplasty was not associated with adverse events. An imaging protocol including SE, TSE and STIR sequences could be used to study the knee with unicompartmental arthroplasty.RiassuntoObiettivoTestare una serie di sequenze RM in pazienti portatori di protesi monocompartimentale mediale del ginocchio.Materiali e metodiQuattro pazienti portatori di protesi monocompartimentale mediale Oxford III sono stati sottoposti a RM a 1,5 T mediante scansioni coronali: spin-echo (SE) pesata in T1; turbo-SE (TSE) pesata in T1; TSE pesata in densità protonica (DP) e T2; gradient-echo (GE) pesata in T1; short tau inversion recovery (STIR); multi echo data image combination (MEDIC); GE pesata in T2*; volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE); dual echo steady state (DESS). Per ciascuna sequenza è stata valutata la visibilità delle strutture anatomiche del pivot centrale, del compartimento laterale e del compartimento anteriore mediante un punteggio semiquantitativo (0=totale mascheramento; 1=insufficiente riconoscibilità; 2=sufficiente riconoscibilità; 3=ottimale riconoscibilità). La somma dei punteggi riportati da ciascuna sequenza è stata divisa per il valore massimo ottenibile, ottenendo un indice percentuale di riconoscibilità. Analisi statistica mediante test di Friedman e test dei segni.RisultatiL’indagine RM è durata circa 30–32 minuti. Nessun paziente ha lamentato dolore, riscaldamento o altre sensazioni locali. L’indice di riconoscibilità è risultato tra l’83% e l’89% per le prime quattro sequenze, senza differenze significative tra loro, 58% per la STIR e tra l’11% e il 36% per le ultime cinque sequenze. Sono risultate significative le differenze tra le prime quattro sequenze e le rimanenti sei sequenze (p<0,004) e tra la STIR e le ultime cinque sequenze (p<0,008).ConclusioniL’indagine RM del ginocchio con protesi monocompartimentale mediale non comporta l’insorgenza di eventi avversi. Le sequenze SE, TSE e STIR potrebbero essere utilmente incluse in un protocollo per lo studio del ginocchio con protesi monocompartimentale mediale.