Purpose: Diagnostic accuracy and image quality of a specialised system for MR examinations of peripheral joints were evaluated.
Materials and methods: 20 patients with acute or chronic injuries of the knee were examined using a low-field MR system (0.2 T). For comparison, all patients were also studied with a 1.5 T high field strength magnet and all diagnoses were correlated with arthroscopic findings.
Results: We found compatible diagnostic accuracies (cruciate ligaments 90%, menisci 75-90%) and good image quality ratings for the low field system ("good" and "excellent" image quality in 83% of cases).
Conclusion: The low-field MR-system offers low-cost MR examinations of peripheral joints with good image quality and reliable diagnostic information.