Getting Started with Magnetic Resonance Neurography.

This article provides a review of magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) and how to get started. It explains step by step how to establish MRN at an institution: how to set up MRN protocols, how to train technicians, what a report needs to contain, and how relevant findings should be communicated to the referring physician. Advanced imaging techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging are only briefly discussed at the end of the article because most of those techniques are difficult for beginners and are still not considered standard in the clinical routine.

Reporting knee meniscal tears: technical aspects, typical pitfalls and how to avoid them.

UNLABELLED: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most accurate imaging technique in the diagnosis of meniscal lesions and represents a standard tool in knee evaluation. MRI plays a critical role in influencing the treatment decision and enables information that would obviate unnecessary surgery including diagnostic arthroscopy. An accurate interpretation of the knee depends on several factors, starting with technical aspects including radiofrequency coils, imaging protocol and magnetic field strength. The use of dedicated high-resolution orthopaedic coils with a different number of integrated elements is mandatory in order to ensure high homogeneity of the signal and high-resolution images. The clinical imaging protocol of the knee includes different MRI sequences with high-spatial resolution in all orientations: sagittal, coronal, and axial. Usually, the slice thickness is 3 mm or less, even with standard two-dimensional fast spin echo sequences. A common potential reason for pitfalls and errors of interpretation is the unawareness of the normal tibial attachments and capsular attachment of the menisci. Complete description of meniscal tears implies that the radiologist should be aware of the patterns and the complex classification of the lesions. TEACHING POINTS: • Technical factors may influence MRI interpretation. • Unawareness of the normal meniscal anatomy may lead to errors of interpretation. • Description of meniscal tears implies the knowledge of meniscal tear classification.