Recent Advances in Musculoskeletal Radiology: Bridging Innovation and Clinical Application.
Authors
Affiliations (16)
Affiliations (16)
- Department of Radiology, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan.
- Department of Radiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- Department of Radiology, The University of Osaka Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
- Department of Radiology, Institute of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
- Radiation Oncology Division, Global Center for Biomedical Science and Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Kumamoto, Japan.
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.
- Department of Innovative BioMedical Visualization, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
- Department of Artificial Intelligence, Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Osaka, Japan.
- Department of Radiology, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Japan.
- Preemptive Medicine and Lifestyle-related Disease Research center, Kyoto University Hospital, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan.
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Nuclear Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan.
- Department of Radiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
- Department of Radiology, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan.
- Department of Fundamental Development for Advanced Low Invasive Diagnostic Imaging, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Abstract
Recent advances in musculoskeletal (MSK) radiology have markedly improved diagnostic accuracy through innovations in MRI, CT, and artificial intelligence (AI). This review summarizes 7 key domains shaping current MSK imaging: (1) CT-like contrast MRI techniques for bone visualization, (2) quantitative MRI approaches, (3) AI applications in image reconstruction and diagnostic support, (4) MR spectroscopy (MRS) for metabolic assessment, (5) whole-body MRI for systemic disease evaluation, (6) positron emission tomography (PET) for metabolic and inflammatory imaging, and (7) advanced CT techniques such as weight-bearing CT. Zero echo time and ultrashort echo time MRI sequences enable the visualization and quantitative assessment of short-T2 tissues such as cortical bone, tendons, and fibrocartilage. Deep learning-based image reconstruction improves SNR and shortens scan time, enhancing image quality and diagnostic confidence. In parallel, AI-driven diagnostic support systems, including convolutional neural networks for lesion detection and natural language processing for report generation, are transforming workflow efficiency and consistency. MRS offers metabolic insights into muscle disorders such as sarcopenia, and whole-body-MRI provides comprehensive, radiation-free evaluation of tumor burden and inflammatory joint or enthesis involvement, making it valuable in oncology and rheumatic diseases. PET complements MRI by identifying metabolically active or inflammatory lesions. CT-based innovations further contribute to evaluating joint biomechanics with high spatial resolution. Together, these technological developments are enabling earlier disease detection, more precise diagnosis, and improved treatment monitoring, representing a paradigm shift in MSK imaging and clinical practice.