High-field magnetic resonance imaging of meniscoids in the zygapophyseal joints of the human cervical spine

Study Design. Prospective in vitro study of meniscoids in the cervical zygapophysial joints. Objectives. To assess the use of high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a potential tool for evaluating meniscoids of the cervical zygapophysial joints. Summary of Background Data. Pain originating from the cervical spine is a frequent condition. It has been suggested that pathologic conditions of meniscoids within the zygapophysial joints may cause pain. Methods. Six zygapophysial joints from one embalmed human body were investigated with a 3.0-T MR unit, equipped with a microimaging-set. MRIs were correlated with microanatomical sections. Results. High-quality images of the meniscoids were obtained for all joints examined. There was a good correlation between the anatomic features derived from MRI and the microanatomical sections. Conclusions. High-field MRI was successfully implemented as a noninvasive method for imaging the meniscoids in cervical zygapophysial joints. The results of this in vitro study indicate that high-field MRI may be feasible in evaluating patients with cervical pain possibly related to meniscoid pathology.