Musculoskeletal MRI

Book excerpt: This book teaches readers how to interpret, read, and dictate musculoskeletal (MSK) MRI studies through a series of very high yield MSK MRI cases. The amount of knowledge needed to practice radiology can be daunting. This is especially true when the radiologist has to read studies in a subspecialty outside their expertise such as MSK MRI where there are numerous disease entities, complex orthopedic anatomy, and many imaging considerations to navigate. Learning how to read MSK MRI studies is often taught during a lengthy fellowship; however, many radiologists do not have this additional training but still must read MSK studies during their routine clinical practice. This book fills that educational gap for practicing radiologists reading MSK MRI. The cases in the book focus on the conditions that radiologists encounter most frequently in their daily clinical work, making it very high yield for the amount of time needed to read it. The cases are organized by the six major joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, pelvis/hip, knee, ankle/foot). Three additional chapters discussing tumors, arthropathy, and miscellaneous conditions are also included. Each case begins with carefully selected high quality MRI images accompanied by a brief clinical vignette. Next, a concise report (as if one is dictating an official report) describing the imaging findings, impression, and recommendations for management are provided. This sample dictation offers readers direct examples of how to report their own cases. There is then a discussion section which mimics teaching sessions that would occur between specialist trainees and MSK faculty members at the workstation so as to enable the readers to think like a MSK radiologist. At the end of each case a Report Checklist is given to highlight important findings to consider and include in your final report. Lastly, we have included a section with 19 normal MSK MRI dictation templates that can be used for structured reporting. This book is an ideal guide for anyone who deals with MSK MRI on a regular basis, including general radiologists who have not completed a dedicated MSK radiology fellowship, MSK radiologists who would want to brush up on their MSK MRI reading and reporting skills, radiology fellows/residents, and orthopedic and sports medicine physicians and nurse practitioners.