ABSTRACT
Ultrasound, magnetic resonance, endoscopic procedures, and other sources of information are competing with X-rays and in many cases delivering
complementary information. Clinical routine requires robust, easy to use, costeective solutions, which t the overall workow. X-ray imaging has been one of the well-developed modalities and is still improving. Modalities other than X-rays have enjoyed impressive progress. e temporal and spatial resolution of magnetic resonance imaging and its various functional capabilities have increased dramatically. High magnetic ux densities have become routine in a way that, for instance, diusion methods are available to sense processes on a molecular level. is seems out of the reach of X-ray imaging. However, gaps still exist for magnetic resonance imaging with respect to routine X-ray when it comes to spatial resolution of high-contrast features, speed of acquisition, metal implants, claustrophobia of patients, and other issues. Higher costs and limited availability are primary factors as well. Soft tissue, in particular when shadowed by bones, is rather dicult to image with X-rays. Damaged cartilage in the knee is therefore a clear case for magnetic resonance imaging, while the broken ankle shown in Figure 4.1 is one for X-ray.
