suspected prostate cancer and one healthy male volunteer were examined

on a 1.5-T MR scanner equipped with a pelvic phased-array coil. Axial MR

images were obtained using multishot EPI sequence with a multishot

number of 16 and FSE sequence without fat suppression. Paired EPI and

FSE images were independently evaluated by three radiologists. Further-

more, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were

compared between EPI and FSE images of 12 pathologically proven lesions

of prostate cancer. Delineation of the periprostatic venous plexus, prostate

zonal anatomy, and seminal vesicle on EPI was graded to be superior/

inferior to FSE in 15.8/0%, 14.6/0%, and 21.5/4.3% of cases, respectively.

On the other hand, delineation of the neurovascular bundle was superior/

inferior to FSE in 2.6/13.2% of cases. The SNR and CNR of prostate cancer

on EPI were significantly higher than those on FSE (7.99 ± 2.51 vs.

3.36 ± 0.58, P< .0001, and 5.51 ± 2.02 vs. 2.21 ± 0.79, P< .0001, respec-

tively). In conclusion, multishot EPI has higher quality of contrast resolu-

tion for imaging of prostate cancer compare with FSE and would have the

potential usefulness in the detection of prostate cancer, although these

results obtained with a phased-array coil cannot be extrapolated to exami-

nations performed with an endorectal coil.

Subchondral insufficiency fractures of the femoral head

Davies M, Cassar-Pullivicino VN, Darby AJ. (VN C-P: Department of

Radiology, The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic and District

Hospital, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 7AG, UK). Eur Radiol 2004;

14:201–207.

The aim of this study was to increase awareness of, and to show the variable

clinical and radiological features of, subchondral insufficiency fractures of

the femoral head. The clinical and radiological features findings in seven

patients with subchondral insufficiency fractures of the femoral head were

reviewed retrospectively. The diagnosis was confirmed histologically in

four patients. Radiographs were performed in all patients, MRI in five, and

scintigraphy in four patients. Radiographs showed varying degrees of

femoral head collapse in four patients. In the remaining three patients,

radiographs showed a normal femoral head, regional osteoporosis, and

focal sclerosis, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a low-

signal band on T1- and T2-weighted images in the subchondral bone

adjacent or parallel to the articular surface associated with bone marrow

oedema. Scintigraphy showed increased uptake in the femoral head.

Insufficiency fractures of the femoral head are easily overlooked or

confused with avascular necrosis and, when there is significant joint

destruction, osteoarthritis. Unsuspected insufficiency fracture of the femoral

head can lead to significant and rapid loss of bone stock in osteoporotic

patients waiting for arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. Increased awareness of

this condition will hopefully lead to earlier diagnosis and a successful

outcome of conservative treatment.

Ultrastructural MR imaging techniques of the knee articular cartilage:

Problems for routine clinical application

Van Breuseghem I. (Department of Radiology, University Hospitals,

Leuven, Herestraat 49, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium). Eur Radiol 2004;14:

184–192.

The high incidence of cartilage lesions together with new surgical

treatment techniques have necessitated the development of non-invasive

cartilage evaluation techniques. Although arthroscopy has been the stand-

ard for cartilage evaluation, MR imaging has emerged as the imaging

method of choice, allowing morphological evaluation of cartilage and

cartilage repair tissue, as well as evaluation of its biochemical content.

This article deals with current ultrastructural MR imaging techniques for

cartilage evaluation, indicating the advantages as well as the drawbacks

for routine clinical application.

Abstracts / Journal of Clinical Imaging 28 (2004) 231–233 233