MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING OF HEMOCHROMATOSIS ARTHROPATHY

This study was undertaken to compare plain film radiography and magnet ic resonance imaging in the assessment of hemochromatosis arthropathy of the knees of ten patients with a biopsy-proven diagnosis. Both moda lities enabled visualisation of bony degenerative changes; magnetic re sonance imaging enabled additional visualization of deformity of both cartilage and menisci. Magnetic resonance imaging failed reliably to c onfirm the presence of intra-articular iron in the patients studied. N o correlation was observed between synovial fluid magnetic resonance s ignal values, corresponding serum ferritin levels, or the severity of the observed degenerative changes.