Knee MRI (3T)

3 Tesla MRI of a single knee on the MAGNETOM Spectra. The high-field platform excels at cartilage and ligament imaging, producing sharper detail of menisci, cruciate ligaments, and articular surfaces than standard 1.5T.

The knee MRI at IZD MRI uses the Siemens MAGNETOM Spectra 3T for comprehensive assessment of all knee structures. The protocol includes sagittal proton-density weighted images for meniscal evaluation, coronal sequences for collateral ligaments, and axial images for the patellofemoral compartment. The 3T field strength is particularly advantageous for knee imaging. The doubled signal-to-noise ratio compared to 1.5T produces crisper visualisation of meniscal tears (including subtle horizontal cleavage and radial tears), cartilage thinning and focal defects, and partial ligament injuries that might be equivocal at lower field strengths. Research consistently shows improved diagnostic confidence for articular cartilage assessment at 3T. At EUR 170, this represents strong value for 3T knee MRI. Comparable 3T knee scans in Vienna or Munich typically cost EUR 300-500. Contrast-enhanced knee MRI adds EUR 50 and is occasionally indicated for suspected pigmented villonodular synovitis, tumour evaluation, or post-surgical meniscal re-tear assessment.