Bones

Abstract

The performance of MR imaging regarding the evaluation of bone structures varies from the poorly detailed information regarding the cortical bone to its unique capability of bone marrow assessment. Although some MR sequences (also called "black-bone" MRI) based on a partial fl ip angle technique or new ultrashort echo (UTE) techniques have been used for providing images of the cortical bone, computed tomography (CT) remains the imaging method of choice for cortical bone evaluation in the clinical routine ( Fig. 11.1 ) [ 1 ].MR imaging is the only practical imaging technique and the most sensitive technique that enables direct visualization of the bone marrow ( Fig. 11.2 ) [ 2 ], despite recent developments in CT using dual-energy acquisitions. The bone