Musculoskeletal imaging addresses potential disorders related to a patient’s spine, bones, joints, muscles, soft tissues, ligaments and tendons. Evaluation of torn tendons, arthritis, cancer, systemic disease and post-traumatic injuries can all be made by musculoskeletal radiologists.
Some Musculoskeletal Imaging Procedures Include:
An arthrogram is an X-ray exam of a joint, using a contrast agent and fluoroscopy (a live motion X-Ray). It is used to diagnose the cause of pain or restricted motion of a joint as well as injury to the components of the joint including, the tendons, soft tissues, ligaments, labrum, cartilage and bones. Often this procedure is used to image the shoulder and hip joints, and it is also used when investigating the knees, elbows, ankles and wrists. CT and MRI may also be used to gain additional images of the joint.
A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan measures the density and mineral content in bone, most often in the hip or lower spine. It is the most accurate method of determining bone density and potential problems related to bone loss. This test is a valuable tool for diagnosing osteoporosis, which often has no symptoms until you suffer a fracture. A bone density scan can diagnose the disease at its earliest stages, which means you can begin receiving treatment to protect your bones sooner.
X-ray is the oldest and most economical form of medical imaging. During the procedure, radiation passes through the body onto “film” (now digitized and displayed on a computer screen). In neuroimaging, spinal X-rays are used to assess for the degree of spinal motion with flexion or extension.
Positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) are state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging tools. A PET/CT scan with a sodium fluoride injection is an imaging test that scans the entire skeletal system and produces images of the bones. These images are used to detect areas of abnormal bone growth associated with tumors that may have spread from different parts of the body.
A three phase bone scan is a nuclear medicine test, it uses radiotracers that are injected (or inhaled or swallowed). The radiotracers are detected by a special camera to provide pictures to diagnose a fracture when it cannot be seen on an X-Ray. It is also used to diagnose bone infection, bone pain, osteomyelitis, as well as other bone diseases.