Musculoskeletal imaging: which test to choose?

The applications of musculoskeletal imaging continue to evolve, along with technical improvements in equipment and patient expectations of accurate diagnosis of musculoskeletal ailments. The role of each imaging modality in diagnosis can vary from case to case, and in different clinical settings, depending on the available expertise.

Radiologists who are given accurate clinical information can focus imaging procedures by providing appropriate additional views and refining protocols, which improves diagnostic accuracy. Each imaging modality has its own strengths and provides complementary information, and sometimes a combination of tests is required to elucidate a problem.