Magnetic resonance imaging in marrow diseases.

Magnetic resonance imaging is an exciting and promising diagnostic tool. It employs a powerful magnet and radio frequency waves to produce details of the human body with no known risk to patients or staff. It produces superior soft-tissue contrast between muscle, fat, ligaments and tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Magnetic resonance imaging has potential diagnostic value in avascular necroses of bone caused by trauma, Legg-Perthes diseases, sickle cell syndrome, and other conditions. It is useful in determining the extent of marrow lesions, including tumors and metabolic disturbances, muscle trauma and diseases, spinal cord and peripheral nerve lesions including compression neuropathies, and perhaps in preoperative evaluation of the patient with intervertebral disc disease.