Faculty Bibliography

MRI is an expensive and traditionally time-intensive modality in imaging. With the paradigm shift toward value-based healthcare, radiology departments must examine the entire MRI process cycle to identify opportunities to optimize efficiency and enhance value for patients. Digital tools such as "frictionless scheduling" prioritize patient preference and convenience, thereby delivering patient-centered care. Recent advances in conventional and deep learning-based accelerated image reconstruction methods have reduced image acquisition time to such a degree that so-called nongradient time now constitutes a major percentage of total room time. For this reason, architectural design strategies that reconfigure patient preparation processes and decrease the turnaround time between scans can substantially impact overall throughput while also improving patient comfort and privacy. Real-time informatics tools that provide an enterprise-wide overview of MRI workflow and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS)-integrated instant messaging can complement these efforts by offering transparent, situational data and facilitating communication between radiology team members. Finally, long-term investment in training, recruiting, and retaining a highly skilled technologist workforce is essential for building a pipeline and team of technologists committed to excellence. Here, we highlight various opportunities for optimizing MRI workflow and enhancing value by offering many of our own on-the-ground experiences and conclude by anticipating some of the future directions for process improvement and innovation in clinical MR imaging. EVIDENCE LEVEL: N/A TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

OBJECTIVE:Direct magnetic resonance arthrography (dMRA) is often considered the most accurate imaging modality for the evaluation of intra-articular structures, but utilization and performance vary widely without consensus. The purpose of this white paper is to develop consensus recommendations on behalf of the Society of Skeletal Radiology (SSR) based on published literature and expert opinion. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:The Standards and Guidelines Committee of the SSR identified guidelines for utilization and performance of dMRA as an important topic for study and invited all SSR members with expertise and interest to volunteer for the white paper panel. This panel was tasked with determining an outline, reviewing the relevant literature, preparing a written document summarizing the issues and controversies, and providing recommendations. RESULTS:Twelve SSR members with expertise in dMRA formed the ad hoc white paper authorship committee. The published literature on dMRA was reviewed and summarized, focusing on clinical indications, technical considerations, safety, imaging protocols, complications, controversies, and gaps in knowledge. Recommendations for the utilization and performance of dMRA in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle/foot regions were developed in group consensus. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Although direct MR arthrography has been previously used for a wide variety of clinical indications, the authorship panel recommends more selective application of this minimally invasive procedure. At present, direct MR arthrography remains an important procedure in the armamentarium of the musculoskeletal radiologist and is especially valuable when conventional MRI is indeterminant or results are discrepant with clinical evaluation.

While musculoskeletal imaging volumes are increasing, there is a relative shortage of subspecialized musculoskeletal radiologists to interpret the studies. Will artificial intelligence (AI) be the solution? For AI to be the solution, the wide implementation of AI-supported data acquisition methods in clinical practice requires establishing trusted and reliable results. This implementation will demand close collaboration between core AI researchers and clinical radiologists. Upon successful clinical implementation, a wide variety of AI-based tools can improve the musculoskeletal radiologist's workflow by triaging imaging examinations, helping with image interpretation, and decreasing the reporting time. Additional AI applications may also be helpful for business, education, and research purposes if successfully integrated into the daily practice of musculoskeletal radiology. The question is not whether AI will replace radiologists, but rather how musculoskeletal radiologists can take advantage of AI to enhance their expert capabilities.

Accurately detecting and characterizing articular cartilage defects is critical in assessing patients with osteoarthritis. While radiography is the first-line imaging modality, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most accurate for the noninvasive assessment of articular cartilage. Multiple semiquantitative grading systems for cartilage lesions in MRI were developed. The Outerbridge and modified Noyes grading systems are commonly used in clinical practice and for research. Other useful grading systems were developed for research, many of which are joint-specific. Both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) pulse sequences are used to assess cartilage morphology and biochemical composition. MRI techniques for morphological assessment of articular cartilage can be categorized into 2D and 3D FSE/TSE spin-echo and gradient-recalled echo sequences. T2 mapping is most commonly used to qualitatively assess articular cartilage microstructural composition and integrity, extracellular matrix components, and water content. Quantitative techniques may be able to label articular cartilage alterations before morphological defects are visible. Accurate detection and characterization of shallow low-grade partial and small articular cartilage defects are the most challenging for any technique, but where high spatial resolution 3D MRI techniques perform best. This review article provides a practical overview of commonly used 2D and 3D MRI techniques for articular cartilage assessments in osteoarthritis.

Deep learning (DL) is one of the most exciting new areas in medical imaging. This article will provide a review of current applications of DL in osteoarthritis (OA) imaging, including methods used for cartilage lesion detection, OA diagnosis, cartilage segmentation, and OA risk assessment. DL techniques have been shown to have similar diagnostic performance as human readers for detecting and grading cartilage lesions within the knee on MRI. A variety of DL methods have been developed for detecting and grading the severity of knee OA and various features of knee OA on X-rays using standardized classification systems with diagnostic performance similar to human readers. Multiple DL approaches have been described for fully automated segmentation of cartilage and other knee tissues and have achieved higher segmentation accuracy than currently used methods with substantial reductions in segmentation times. Various DL models analyzing baseline X-rays and MRI have been developed for OA risk assessment. These models have shown high diagnostic performance for predicting a wide variety of OA outcomes, including the incidence and progression of radiographic knee OA, the presence and progression of knee pain, and future total knee replacement. The preliminary results of DL applications in OA imaging have been encouraging. However, many DL techniques require further technical refinement to maximize diagnostic performance. Furthermore, the generalizability of DL approaches needs to be further investigated in prospective studies using large image datasets acquired at different institutions with different imaging hardware before they can be implemented in clinical practice and research studies.

Image-guided minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of sensory nerves has emerged as a treatment option for pain and swelling associated with advanced symptomatic joint and spine degeneration to bridge the gap between optimal medical therapy and surgical treatments. RFA of articular sensory nerves and the basivertebral nerve use image-guided percutaneous approaches resulting in faster recovery time and minimal risks. The current published evidence indicates clinical effectiveness; however, further research must be performed comparing other conservative treatments with RFA to understand further its role in different clinical settings, such as osteonecrosis. This review article discusses and illustrates the applications of RFA for treating symptomatic joint and spine degeneration.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has made tremendous advances in recent years and will presumably have a major impact in health care. These advancements are expected to affect different aspects of clinical medicine and lead to improvement of delivered care but also optimization of available resources. As a modern specialty that extensively relies on imaging, interventional radiology (IR) is primed to be on the forefront of this development. This is especially relevant since IR is a highly advanced specialty that heavily relies on technology and thus is naturally susceptible to disruption by new technological developments. Disruption always means opportunity and interventionalists must therefore understand AI and be a central part of decision-making when such systems are developed, trained, and implemented. Furthermore, interventional radiologist must not only embrace but lead the change that AI technology will allow. The CIRSE position paper discusses the status quo as well as current developments and challenges.

The T12 to S4 spinal nerves form the lumbosacral plexus in the retroperitoneum, providing sensory and motor innervation to the pelvis and lower extremities. The lumbosacral plexus has a wide range of anatomic variations and interchange of fibers between nerve anastomoses. Neuropathies of the lumbosacral plexus cause a broad spectrum of complex pelvic and lower extremity pain syndromes, which can be challenging to diagnose and treat successfully. In their workup, selective nerve blocks are employed to test the hypothesis that a lumbosacral plexus nerve contributes to a suspected pelvic and extremity pain syndrome, whereas therapeutic perineural injections aim to alleviate pain and paresthesia symptoms. While the sciatic and femoral nerves are large in caliber, the iliohypogastric and ilioinguinal, genitofemoral, lateral femoral cutaneous, anterior femoral cutaneous, posterior femoral cutaneous, obturator, and pudendal nerves are small, measuring a few millimeters in diameter and have a wide range of anatomic variants. Due to their minuteness, direct visualization of the smaller lumbosacral plexus branches can be difficult during selective nerve blocks, particularly in deeper pelvic locations or larger patients. In this setting, the high spatial and contrast resolution of interventional MR neurography guidance benefits nerve visualization and targeting, needle placement, and visualization of perineural injectant distribution, providing a highly accurate alternative to more commonly used ultrasonography, fluoroscopy, and computed tomography guidance for perineural injections. This article offers a practical guide for MR neurography-guided lumbosacral plexus perineural injections, including interventional setup, pulse sequence protocols, lumbosacral plexus MR neurography anatomy, anatomic variations, and injection targets.