MR imaging of articular cartilage

MR imaging of articular cartilage. MR imaging has evolved to the best non-i nvasive method for the evaluation of articular cartilage, MR imaging helps to understand the structure and physiology of cartilage, and to diagnose ca rtilage lesions. Numerous studies have shown high accuracy and reliability concerning detection of cartilage lesions and early changes in both structu re and biochemistry. High contrast-to-noise ratio and high spatial resoluti on are essential for analysis of articular cartilage, Fat-suppressed 3D-T-1 weighted gradient echo and T,weighted fast spin echo sequences with or wit hout fat suppression are recommended for clinical routine, In this article the anatomy and pathology of hyaline articular cartilage and the complex im aging characteristics of hyaline cartilage will be discussed.