MR Imaging Knee Synovitis and Synovial Pathology

Knee synovitis is a nonspecific finding seen in the setting of joint damage and inflammation. center dot Findings of synovial thickening, joint effusion, and synovial enhancement are present across the spectrum of etiologies and do not allow a specific diagnosis in most cases. center dot The most specific signs of acute infectious arthritis are diffuse bone marrow edema, adjacent soft tissue abscess, sinus tract, and osteomyelitis. center dot IV contrast is helpful to distinguish joint fluid from synovial proliferation and imaging should be performed in the first few minutes after injection.