[Current status of magnetic resonance tomography in diagnosis of the ankle joint--a critical evaluation].

Anatomical preparations of the ankle were examined by T1-weighted SE-sequences in three planes to identify normal topography. The current status of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was assessed and illustrated by image examples. Together with conventional radiography, MRI yields relevant information for therapy planning. This technique allows accurate staging of traumatic and degenerative involving the soft tissues of the joint, including tendons and ligaments. MRI clearly delineates joint fluid, osteochondral abnormalities, and is helpful in the diagnosis of inflammatory changes of the synovia and bone marrow. Furthermore, it is the modality of choice for evaluating tissue neoplasma. Its advantages are not only the detection of the process and definition of its extent, but also the determination of local soft-tissue infiltration.