Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Extremities

In 3 adult volunteers, the appropriate technique for depicting the normal anatomy with magnetic resonance imaging was tested. At 0.15 T, the images obtained in different anatomic planes with different pulse sequences and radiofrequency coils were compared. Spin echo technique with a repetition time of 500 ms and an echo time of 30 ms appeared as a good compromise, giving excellent depiction of both soft tissues and joints, especially if a surface coil was used. The optimum anatomic plane varied with the structures examined.