J Korean Radiol Soc.  1995 Oct;33(4):627-632.

Intravenous Magnetic Resonance Arthrography of the Knee

• Lee SH
• Lee YU
• Suh JD
• Kim JH
• Kim DJ

Abstract

PURPOSE
Knee IVIR images were repeatedly obtained after intravenous administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine to evaluate the arthrographic effect and to determine the optimal scan timing and technique.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sagittal Tl-weighted (650/15) sequences were repeated before and after intravenous gadolinium enhancement in 26 patients who were divided into exercise (14/26) and nonexercise (12/26) groups. Fourteen patients in exercise group were allowed to move the affected knee joint actively for 10 minutes immediately after the first post-enhancement scan and before repeating scans. The signal intensities in central and peripheral portions of the joint were measured and compared between these two groups.
RESULTS
In all cases, enhancement of joint fluid began at peripheral portion and progressed toward central portion. The diffusion rate in exercise group was far faster than that in nonexercise group and homogeneous arthrographic image was revealed within 10 minutes after completion of joint movement. The arthrographic effect continued and the rate of signal decrease was quite slow.
CONCLUSION
MR arthrographic image of knee joint can be obtained within 10 minutes after completion of a few minute exercise following intravenous injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine. Intravenous MR arthrography is expected to become an useful method as a convenient alternative to direct MR arthrography.

MeSH Terms

Administration, Intravenous
Arthrography*
Diffusion
Gadolinium
Gadolinium DTPA
Humans
Injections, Intravenous
Joints
Knee Joint
Knee*
Gadolinium
Gadolinium DTPA