PET/MR Imaging in Musculoskeletal Precision Imaging - Third wave after X-Ray and MR

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET has been used to evaluate a wide array of inflammatory and neoplastic pathologies. MR imaging has great soft tissue resolution and high accuracy for detection of edema. Combining PET with MR imaging offers substantial advantages in musculoskeletal imaging. Specifically, evidence demonstrates the potential of imaging of bone marrow, soft tissue, and synovia by PET/MR imaging. Because of inherent limitations of ¹H-MR to image cortical bone, there are some challenges; however, the use of 18F-sodium fluoride for PET/MR imaging could change the landscape. This article reviews the literature regarding PET/MR imaging in identification and management of many musculoskeletal diseases.

Keywords: Arthritis; Bone Tumor; Infection; Inflammation; MR imaging; Musculoskeletal disease; Osteoarthrosis; Osteoradiomics; PET; PET/MR.