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European Radiology
Published in: European Radiology 2/2022

Open Access 01-02-2022 | Musculoskeletal

Visualization of wrist anatomy—a comparison between 7T and 3T MRI

Authors: Simon Götestrand, Anders Björkman, Isabella M. Björkman-Burtscher, Ingvar Kristiansson, Elenya Aksyuk, Pawel Szaro, Karin Markenroth Bloch, Mats Geijer

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 2/2022

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Abstract

Objective

Injuries to the wrist are, due to its small size and complex anatomical structures, difficult to assess by MR, and surgical interventions such as diagnostic arthroscopy are often necessary. Therefore, improved visualization using non-invasive methods could be of clinical value. As a first step of improvement, the purpose of this study was to evaluate visualization of anatomical structures at 7T compared with 3T MR.

Methods

Eighteen healthy volunteers (three males and three females from each age decade between 20 and 49 years) were examined with 7T and 3T MR. Four musculoskeletal radiologists graded 2D and 3D images on a five-level grading scale for visibility of ligaments, cartilage, nerves, trabecular bone, and tendons, as well as overall image quality (i.e., edge sharpness, perceived tissue contrast, and presence of artefacts). Statistical analysis was done using a visual grading characteristics (VGC) analysis.

Results

Visibility of cartilage, trabecular bone, tendons, nerves, and ligaments was graded significantly higher at 7T with an area under the curve (AUCVGC) of 0.62–0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50–0.97, p = < 0.0001–0.03) using either 2D or 3D imaging. Imaging with 3T was not graded as superior to 7T for any structure. Image quality was also significantly superior at 7T, except for artefacts, where no significant differences were found.

Conclusions

Tendons, trabecular bone, nerves, and ligaments were all significantly better visualized at 7T compared to 3T.

Key Points

• MRI of the wrist at 7T with a commercially available wrist coil is feasible at similar acquisition times as for 3T MRI.
• The current study showed 7T to be superior to 3T in the visualization of anatomical structures of the wrist, including ligaments, tendons, nerves, and trabecular bone.
• Image quality was significantly superior at 7T, except for artefacts, where no significant differences were found.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Visualization of wrist anatomy—a comparison between 7T and 3T MRI
Authors
Simon Götestrand
Anders Björkman
Isabella M. Björkman-Burtscher
Ingvar Kristiansson
Elenya Aksyuk
Pawel Szaro
Karin Markenroth Bloch
Mats Geijer
Publication date
01-02-2022
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
European Radiology / Issue 2/2022
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-021-08165-5

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