(put figure here of synovitis from training PPT)
Utilising these techniques can prove difficult in a clinical environment, particularly as there is an increased amount of imaging for the radiographers and interpreting radiologists to process and analyse. Therefore, the utility and practicality when compared to post-contrast imaging must be evaluated. This pilot study describes our initial experience and evaluates the benefit of TRICKS magnetic resonance angiographic (MRA) imaging and peak enhancement fusion images in the assessment of synovitis at the metacarpophalangeal joints.
Methods and materials
Patient selection:
We retrospectively collected data from consecutive patients who had local institutional MR imaging to assess for synovitis over a period of 1 year (August 2015 to August 2016). Patients who did not have complete TRICKS sequences where excluded.
MRI Imaging:
Patients were positioned with the hand of interest elevated above the head on the scanning table and a small field of view coil was used (knee coil). All imaging was acquired on a GE 3T Discovery 750 MR scanner (GEHC, Milwaukee, WI, USA).
The standard protocol included: axial and coronal T1, T2 fat-saturated (FS) and post-contrast T1 fat saturated sequences. Dynamic contrast enhanced MRA images were acquired at the same time using the TRICKS sequence . Only a single injection of 10ml of MRI contrast (Gadovist) was required. Although a standard field of view for the TRICKS sequence was specified, this was altered in some patients due to subject size differences.