Performing MR investigation on patients instrumented with external fixators is still controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of MR imaging of the knee structures in the presence of bridging external fixators. Different cadaveric lower limbs were instrumented with the MR-conditional external fixators Hofmann III (Stryker, Kalamazoo, MI, USA), Large external Fixator (DePuy Synthes, Raynham, MA, USA), XtraFix (Zymmer, Warsaw, IN, USA) and a newer implant of Ketron Peek CA30 and ERGAL 7075 pins, Dolphix®, (Citieffe, Bologna, Italy). The specimens were MR scanned before and after the instrumentation. The images were subjectively judged by a pool of blinded radiologists and then quantitatively evaluated calculating signal intensity, signal to noise and contrast to noise in the five regions of interest. The area of distortion due to the presence of metallic pins was calculated. All the images were considered equally useful for diagnosis with no differences between devices (p > 0.05). Only few differences in the quantification of images have been detected between groups while the presence of metallic components was the main limit of the procedure. The mean length of the radius of the area of distortion of the pins were 53.17 ± 8.19 mm, 45.07 ± 4.33 mm, 17 ± 5.4 mm and 37.12 ± 10.17 mm per pins provided by Zimmer, Synthes, Citieffe and Stryker, respectively (p = 0.041). The implant of Ketron Peek CA30 and ERGAL 7075 pins showed the smallest distortion area.
Keywords: MRI imaging; temporary bridging external fixator.