MRI of the Knee

osef Kramer, Prof. MD PhD MMSC Physics degree (Technical University of Vienna) Degrees in Mathematics and Chemistry (University of Vienna) Medical degree (Medical School/University of Vienna) Trained as a radiologist at the University of Vienna Trained at the MR Training Center, Siemens, Erlangen (G) Fellowship under Prof. D. Resnick San Diego (USA) Head of Institut am Schillerpark in Linz (A)

Book Review: MRI of the Knee by J. Kramer

MRI of the knee is among the most commonly performed cross-sectional Imaging investigations and after decades of clinical use one would expect no significant new insights in this field. This, however, is completely contradicted with the book "MRI of the knee" edited by Josef Kramer and the Sports Imaging Committee of the European Society of Musculoskeletal Radiology (ESSR). The current knowledge of arthroscopy and other advancing treatment options for the knee is presented here by focussing on MR imaging.
The book may be divided into four sections. In the first chapter, the anatomy is described systematically with respect to biomechanics and in such a great detail, that not only beginners, but also the experienced radiologist will receive some new information. The authors’ profound knowledge about the historical perspectives how morphological concepts evolved may open the radiologist’s eyes for a more thorough understanding of the daily routine reporting work.
In the next five chapters, the major anatomic components of the knee with their typical injury patterns and how they appear with imaging are presented. Such, the kinetic chains of trauma, overuse and degeneration are discussed and footprint patterns of the weak chain links are described. Practice tips about how to avoid pitfalls reflect the authors’ great clinical expertise.
A chapter about the children's knee contains all relevant topics of variants, congenital abnormalities, patterns of overuse, and common tumours in this patient group, One chapter is dedicated to juvenile arthritis with an extensive overview on quantitative imaging.
In the remaining eight chapters, the authors deal with all major clinically relevant situations, i. e. trauma and instability, inflammation, swelling and malignancies. Typical and not so typical findings are presented in the context of etiology and biomechanics, thus supporting a more synoptic understanding of the disease processes of the knee.
The figures are of excellent quality and many chapters contain long lists of up-to-date references. Searching for a peculiar detail or for topics discussed in different chapters within this broad spectrum of information – the postoperative knee is an example - may be difficult and we as readers hope for an e-book version in the near future.
In summary, the experts of this ESSR Sports Imaging Committee have successfully managed to provide the reader with an update of the practically relevant knowledge necessary for daily reporting. The young publisher has shown us his high potential and power in how to realize a modern knowledge management concept in medicine.


Franz Kainberger
Division of Neuro- and Musculoskeletal Radiology
Department of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy, Medical University of Vienna

Foreword To my wife Elfi, our son Bernd and my friends and teachers. Over the last decades, MR imaging has become the modality of choice for the evaluation of disorders of the knee joint, because this method provides an excellent view of normal bone and soft tissue structures as well as pathological changes in these. The members of the Subcommittee of Sports Imaging, a part of the ESSR (European Society of Skeletal Radiology), decided to publish a book on MRI of the knee with the aim of enhancing the skills of beginners and intensifying the expertise of trained radiologists. Approximately 90 % of all injuries, inflammatory diseases, and to some extent even tumors, are covered in relatively short texts with about one thousand illustrations and schematic diagrams. After having read this book the reader should be able to recognize a specific pathology and establish an accurate diagnosis, which will aid in making rational treatment decisions. The book is divided into several chapters. It is not necessary to start with the first one, as each chapter addresses a specific topic. I sincerely hope the reader will enjoy reading this book and trust it will help him/her in clinical routine. I thank all colleagues who contributed to this project, especially Ms N. Slavik and the publishers, who supported and encouraged me to persevere despite my occasional despair. Linz, April 2013 Univ. Prof. DDr. Mag. D.I. Josef Kramer Institut für CT- und MRT-Diagnostik am Schillerpark