Techniques, coils, pulse sequences, and contrast enhancement in pediatric musculoskeletal MR imaging.

The first half of this article emphasizes the basic techniques involved in performing MR imaging of the pediatric musculoskeletal system. These include patient preparation, sedation issues, immobilization, coil selection, and pulse sequences. The second half of this article provides a detailed discussion of the use of Gadolinium and its enhancement characteristics in the normal developing musculoskeletal system, and its pathologic states are given.