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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 6/2018

01-06-2018 | Musculoskeletal

How, When, Why in Magnetic Resonance Arthrography: an International Survey by the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)

Authors: Luca Maria Sconfienza, Domenico Albano, Carmelo Messina, Enzo Silvestri, Alberto Stefano Tagliafico

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 6/2018

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Abstract

Objectives

To perform an online survey about the use of magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) in clinical practice.

Methods

We administered an online survey to all 1,550 members of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR) about MRA asking ten different questions. Subgroup analysis was performed between general and orthopaedic hospitals using χ2 and Mann-Whitney U statistics.

Results

One-hundred forty-eight answers were included (148/1,550, 9.5% of ESSR members). A median of 3,000 (interquartile range: 1,567.5-5,324.5) musculoskeletal MR examinations and a median of 125.5 MRAs (50.75-249) per institution were performed in 2016. Ratio between MRA and musculoskeletal MR was 4.7% (1.6%-9.0%). Using MRA, the most investigated joint was the shoulder followed by the hip (96.6%). The most common indications were the evaluation of instability, labrum, and rotator cuff (85.1%). Fluoroscopy represented the preferred injection guidance. A self-prepared mixture of Gadolinium/saline is preferred in general hospitals, while pre-diluted Gadolinium-based syringes are mainly used in orthopaedic hospitals (P=.010). The number of MRA performed at orthopaedic hospitals (284;83.75-449.50) was higher (P=.006) than that performed at general hospitals (115.50;44.75-234.25).

Conclusions

One out of twenty MR examinations is a MRA, with higher prevalence in orthopaedic hospitals. The shoulder and the hip are the most investigated joints. Instability, labrum, and cuff are the most common indications.

Key Points

• The most common MRAs are shoulder and hip (96.6% of answers).
• Most common clinical indications for MRA are instability, labrum, and rotator cuff (85.1% of answers).
• Fluoroscopy represents the preferred guidance to inject joints (61.0% of answers).
• The median number of MRA performed at orthopaedic hospitals (n=284) was significantly higher (P=.006) than that performed at general hospitals (n=115.50).
• A self-prepared mixture of Gadolinium/saline solution is preferred in general hospitals (64.8%) compared to orthopaedic hospitals (36.0%; P=0.010).
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Metadata
Title
How, When, Why in Magnetic Resonance Arthrography: an International Survey by the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR)
Authors
Luca Maria Sconfienza
Domenico Albano
Carmelo Messina
Enzo Silvestri
Alberto Stefano Tagliafico
Publication date
01-06-2018
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 6/2018
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-017-5208-y

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