High-resolution flat panel CT versus 3-T MR arthrography of the wrist: initial results in vivo

Objectives The objective of this study was to compare the diagnostic performance of direct C-arm flat panel computed tomography arthrography (FPCT-A) with direct magnetic resonance arthrography (MR-A) of the wrist in patients with clinically suspected pathologies. Methods Forty-nine patients underwent tri-compartmental wrist arthrography. FPCT-A was acquired using a high-resolution acquisition mode, followed by a 3-T MR exam using a dedicated wrist coil. Image quality and artifacts of FPCT-A and MR-A were evaluated with regard to the depictability of anatomical structures. The time stamps for the different image acquisitions were recorded for workflow assessment. Results Image quality was rated significantly superior for all structures for FPCT-A ( p