MRI Meniscus - Assignment Example

? MRI MENISCUS due: Introduction The ability to acquire high resolution anatomical information as well as in vivo quantitative functional information is becoming an increasingly significant factor in the diagnosis of diseases. The recent onset of the development of advanced imaging machines to provide this information has had a profound effect on clinical diagnosis, and this has been reflected by the vast increase in the number of commercial scanners on the market today. This study will be made possible with the aid of an MRI scanner. This MRI scanner provides excellent soft tissue contrast and anatomical detail and does not subject the patient to any additional radiation dose. This paper will describe the overall diagnosis meniscus of a knee sample and will present some of the MRI images obtained with several mechanisms of the system inside the field of the MRI. Injury in knee Knee injury can occur by a twisting or turning that is quick and sudden, and most likely when the foot is planted while the knee is bent; tearing the meniscus. A meniscus tear can also occur when lifting a heavy object from a low surface or when playing sports. As we get older, the meniscus gets worn out, so one has a higher risk of having a meniscus tear. A meniscus is a rubbery, c- shaped disc that cushions the knee. Each knee has 2 menisci; one at the outer side of the knee and the other one at the inner edge (Athanasiou & Sanchez, 2009: 2). The meniscus keeps the knee steady by balancing the weight of the body across the knee. The menisci are dynamic structures, to effectively maintain an optimum load- bearing function over a moving, incongruent joint surface; they need to be able to move as the femur and congruency (Kennon 2008: 72). It is easy to detect a torn meniscus because usually, the keen hardly ever suffers any pain. So when one experiences pain in the keen or some swelling, then they should have it checked to avoid the worsening of the situation. There are three types of signs though that depends on the tear that one has. The first one is the minor tear, where one experiences slight pain and swelling that goes away in about 2 – 3 weeks. The moderate tear follows with pain at the side and center of the knee. The pain is followed by swelling that gets worse in 2 – 3 days and the knee feels stiff and limits how one bends the knee (Mckeon et al, 2009: 14). Pain is also experienced when squatting or twisting the knee. The symptoms usually go away, but they could reoccur if the tear is not treated. The severe tear is the last one, and it usually means that pieces of the torn meniscus have moved into the joint space making the knee catch, pop or lock and one may not be able to straighten it. The knee may also feel wobbly and give way without warning. Experiencing any of these symptoms could mean having a torn meniscus and the earlier it is treated the better for the patient (Schoen 2000: 320). How can one detect a tear before the use of MRI? The diagnosis of a meniscus tear is not very complicated in that a clinical physical examination can be done to determine the cause of knee pain and other discomforts. During the physical examination, the physician may check for tenderness around the knee area, the range of movement i.e. how far one can move the knee without any discomfort and the stability of the knee because the knee should be at a position to hold ones weight. Imaging it is used in hospitals to determine the seriousness of injuries not just the meniscus tear i.e. CT scan. Knee problems can be treated by wrapping the knee with a plastic bandage to give it the stability it needs to heal, physical therapy and surgery where something can be removed or added to the knee. According to (Beaufils 2010), the capacity of a meniscus to heal has been illustrated in three models of the meniscus injury, the first being the transection of the anterior circulate ligament, the devitalized plug model and the meniscus tear (p. 22). All of which will determine the method of treatment and the time required for the knee to heal. MRI- how it is the best diagnosis According to Mckeon et al, (2009: 22) MRI is the short form for Magnetic Resonance Imaging it is used in hospitals to determine the seriousness of injuries not just the meniscus tear (Athanasiou & Sanchez – Adams, 2009: 47). The MRI machine uses a magnetic field together with radio waves to create detailed images of the body part being examined. The machine works by creating a strong magnetic field by passing on electric current through wire loops and at the same time other coils in the magnet relay and obtain radio wave. This makes parts in the body to align themselves, and after, radio waves are absorbed by the portions. Energy is then released after exiting the molecules, which in turn emit energy signals that are picked by the coil. The message is sent to a computer that transforms the signals into images. The final result is a 3D figure representation of the area being examined (Brown & Semelka, 2011: 27). The MRI test is a simple method that is not painful at all. The fact that it is accurate and precise in the determination of structural abnormalities of the body makes it a better method for diagnosis than for example, the arthroscopy. The central focus will be on the magnetic resonance imaging of the knee meniscus tear using the MRI scanner (Beaufils & Verdonk, 2010: 28). MRI scanner offers an ultra- high quantitative field essential in proton imaging; due to the high resolution imaging. MRI scanner shows clear representations that are accurate and precise that other conventional clinical MRIs (1.5 and 3T). MRI imaging technique is an important subject that will benefit both the doctors particularly the orthopedic, the radiologist, the physiotherapist and the patient in that having a mechanism that is trusted to give the correct diagnosis is vital in the medical world for both. There are many ways of examining a meniscus tear, but the most effective one is the MRI this is because the images show other injuries to the knees, the ligaments and tendons, and this is not possible with other methods of diagnosis i.e. CT scan. The advantages of using the MRI are the convenience of avoiding x-ray radiation exposure and the fact that it is accurate and precise in the determination of structural abnormalities of the body. MRI scanner has proved to be advantageous due to a higher signal to noise ratio (SNR), higher spatial resolution, higher functional (BOLD) contrast, and better image quality. However undergoing the MRI test could cause a few side effects that mostly caused by discomfort and are temporary. These include; headache, dizziness, sweating, nausea and fatigue. This scanner allows simultaneous acquisition of high resolution anatomical information using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). This paper provides a thorough research of the MRI protocol that proves its ability of being the best for diagnosing the meniscus tear. It answers questions that are frequently asked; about the MRI procedure and gives detailed account of how a diagnosis is made. There are protocols to be followed when examining a patient with the MRI for knee images. The knee evaluation is made with a high resolution proton density sequence, acquired in three planes: the axial, sagittate and the coronal as discussed in the paper (Kennon, 2008: 25). This paper also looks at the various methods of treatment in depth. These include the nonsurgical treatment, the surgical repair, partial meniscectomy and the total meniscectomy. A lot has to be considered for the doctor to determine which of these in best for a particular patient but this is made easy with the right diagnosis from the MRI. In conclusion, this paper will look at the knee diagnosis meniscus in a more practical and professional manner through an in-depth analysis of the topic and does not just give basic information about MRI meniscus. The purpose is not to suggest the substitution of other methods used in dealing with a meniscus tear. Just as (Beaufils & Verdonk, 2010: 56) suggests, MRI should not substitute standard radiographs, which are systematic methods of assessment. Other methods should be considered and used as well, but they should be counterchecked with the MRI as it is the most accurate in detecting a meniscus tear. Bibliography ATHANASIOU, K.A, & SANCHEZ – ADAMS, J. (2009). Engineering the knee meniscus. [San Rafael, Calif.], Morgan & Claypool. BEAUFILS, P. & VERDONK, R. (2010). The meniscus. Heidelberg, Springer Verlag. BROWN, M.A., & SEMELKA, R.C. (2011). MRI Basic Principals and Applications. Chicester, John Willey & Sons, Inc. KENNON, R. E. (2008). Hip and knee surgery: a patient's guide to hip replacement, hip resurfacing, knee replacement, & knee arthroscopy. Middlebury, CT, Orthopaedic Surgery, P.C. MCKEON, B. P., BONO, J. V., & RICHMOND, J. C. (2009). Knee arthroscopy. New York, NY, Springer. MO?LLER, T. B., & REIF, E. (2010). MRI parameters and positioning. Stuttgart, Thieme. SCHOEN, D. C. (2000). Adult orthopaedic nursing. Philadelphia, Lippincott. Read More