ABSTRACT
Imaging evaluation of the painful total joint arthroplasty has, in the past, been
limited to conventional radiographs, arthrography, and nuclear scintigraphy. All three
modalities provide some clinical information regarding the status of the prosthesis,
adjacent bone, and surrounding soft tissues but are hampered by poor specificity,
particularly nuclear scintigraphy.[1] Magnetic resonance imaging, using optimized pulse sequences to reduce the susceptibility
artifact generated by the arthroplasty, can provide clinically relevant information
regarding the prosthesis as well as the surrounding bone, soft tissues, and neurovascular
structures.
KEYWORD
Magnetic resonance imaging - arthroplasty - artifacts