Magnetic resonance imaging of joint cartilage. Current knowledge and new developments

MRI is the most accurate noninvasive technique available for assessment of normal articular cartilage and cartilage lesions. MRI cannot only provide m orphologic information about the area of damage, but can also provide uniqu e insight into the biochemical composition of the articular cartilage. New image processing techniques such as three-dimensional mapping of cartilage thickness will help to establish automated analysis of cartilage loss. Thes es techniques are ideally suited for monitoring patients who undergo treatm ent with new chondroregenerative drugs.