Advanced Imaging of Total Knee Arthroplasty

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2024 Jun;28(3):282-292. doi: 10.1055/s-0044-1781470. Epub 2024 May 20.

Abstract

The prevalence of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is increasing with the aging population. Although long-term results are satisfactory, suspected postoperative complications often require imaging with the implant in place. Advancements in computed tomography (CT), such as tin prefiltration, metal artifact reduction algorithms, dual-energy CT with virtual monoenergetic imaging postprocessing, and the application of cone-beam CT and photon-counting detector CT, allow a better depiction of the tissues adjacent to the metal. For magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), high bandwidth (BW) optimization, the combination of view angle tilting and high BW, as well as multispectral imaging techniques with multiacquisition variable-resonance image combination or slice encoding metal artifact correction, have significantly improved imaging around metal implants, turning MRI into a useful clinical tool for patients with suspected TKA complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee* / methods
  • Humans
  • Knee Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Knee Joint / surgery
  • Knee Prosthesis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods