THE ROLE OF THE LOW FIELD MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF THE COMMON SHOULDER JOINT LESIONS

Abstract

This article reviews the role of the low field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with magnetic field strengths of 0.4 Tesla in the evaluation of the main pathologic conditions of the shoulder joint commonly encountered in clinical practice. Shoulder pain is a common clinical complaint that may be caused by abnormalities of the rotator cuff tendon, labrum and a variety of other pathological conditions. The differential diagnosis is extensive and includes tendinosis and rotator cuff pathology, instability, labral lesions, biceps disorders, radiculopathy, and thoracic outlet syndrome. In older patients, arthritis may even be a factor. The goal of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic confidence of an open low field MRI in patients with shoulder joint pain. Our data was obtained from 40 patients: 24 Male (60%) and 16-Female (40%). Their ages ranged between 17 and 70 years. All patients were investigated by conventional X-rays and MRI in the medical diagnostic center of Aden Resonance in  Al-Mansoura district in Aden city. MRI was performed at an open 0. 4 Tesla MR-unit (Hitachi - Japan-Aperto Lucent). The study protocol comprised axial, sagittal & coronal STIR-T2 and T1 weighted images of 3-4 mm thickness. 55 patients (52.4%) were investigated by high field MRI 1. 5 T (Neusoft) as a reference method.