PDF icon Download PDF
Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2021; 25(03): 514-526
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1731332
Review Article

3D MRI of the Ankle: A Concise State-of-the-Art Review

Benjamin Fritz 
1   Department of Radiology, University Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland
2   Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
,
Jan Fritz 
3   New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, New York
,
Reto Sutter 
1   Department of Radiology, University Hospital Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland
2   Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Financial Disclosure Jan Fritz received institutional research support from Siemens AG, BTG International, Zimmer Biomed, DePuy Synthes, QED, and SyntheticMR. He is a scientific advisor for Siemens AG, SyntheticMR, GE Healthcare, QED, BTG, ImageBiopsy Laboratory, Boston Scientific, and Mirata Pharma, and has shared patents with Siemens Healthcare and Johns Hopkins University.
› Further Information
Also available ateRef
   Permissions and Reprints
Preview

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful imaging modality for visualizing a wide range of ankle disorders that affect ligaments, tendons, and articular cartilage. Standard two-dimensional (2D) fast spin-echo (FSE) and turbo spin-echo (TSE) pulse sequences offer high signal-to-noise and contrast-to-noise ratios, but slice thickness limitations create partial volume effects. Modern three-dimensional (3D) FSE/TSE pulse sequences with isotropic voxel dimensions can achieve higher spatial resolution and similar contrast resolutions in ≤ 5 minutes of acquisition time. Advanced acceleration schemes have reduced the blurring effects of 3D FSE/TSE pulse sequences by affording shorter echo train lengths. The ability for thin-slice partitions and multiplanar reformation capabilities eliminate relevant partial volume effects and render modern 3D FSE/TSE pulse sequences excellently suited for MRI visualization of several oblique and curved structures around the ankle. Clinical efficiency gains can be achieved by replacing two or three 2D FSE/TSE sequences within an ankle protocol with a single isotropic 3D FSE/TSE pulse sequence. In this article, we review technical pulse sequence properties for 3D MRI of the ankle, discuss practical considerations for clinical implementation and achieving the highest image quality, compare diagnostic performance metrics of 2D and 3D MRI for major ankle structures, and illustrate a broad spectrum of ankle abnormalities.

Keywords

three-dimensional - magnetic resonance imaging - ankle - foot


Publication History

Article published online:
21 September 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA