[New developments in cartilage imaging].

Development of drugs able to modify the natural course of osteoarthritis is a major research objective. Imaging methods are needed to evaluate the effect of new medications in the experimental and clinical settings. Conventional radiographs are the gold-standard technique for routine imaging. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has transformed hyaline cartilage imaging by providing direct visualization without exposure to radiation. In addition, MRI can provide direct cartilage volumetry and tissue characterization for research purposes, using specific sequences. MRI can also give information on the content and organization of the collagen fibril network and proteoglycan chains, as well as water content. Computed tomography, arthrography and MR-arthrography require contrast medium injection into the joint space but provide high-resolution 3D images of the hyaline and fibrous cartilage.