TABLE 6.

Promise and challenges in musculoskeletal imaging

Promise

Challenges

Lower cost permits tailored scanner designs (eg hand, foot, limbs) and integration into orthopedic departments. Unique scanner designs allow expanded patient positioning and mobility, enabling weight‐bearing and kinematic studies. Open designs permit positioning of limbs in isocenter. Portable scanners could offer unique opportunities for sports medicine. Metal artifact from implants and devices is reduced at lower‐field strengths.

Lower resolution and reduced sensitivity to certain anatomic structures. Less spectral separation between water and fat, making fat‐suppression challenging. Loss of quality control by radiologists.