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PURPOSE: This paper compares a new film-screen system (FSS) called INSIGHT Skeletal Imaging System with the previously used Lanex/T-MAT G FSS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a Bronder phantom, measurements were made of dose, resolution and contrast. 135 skeletal phantom images were assessed in order of quality by six observers. RESULTS: Comparable high resolution film-screen combinations (FSC) showed similar geometric resolution. Comparing high intensifying screens, the new INSIGHT Skeletal Regular FSS showed better resolution than the Lanex medium FSC. Dose reduction for the INSIGHT Skeletal Imaging FSS was 29-56%. The new FSS showed image quality similar to high resolution screens but was significantly better when using high intensifying screens. CONCLUSION: The new INSIGHT Skeletal Imaging System can replace the Lanex/T-MAT G FFS by retaining quality but reducing radiation dose by 29-56%. Using the new high intensifying FSC, images showed in addition improved film quality.

The MR images of the knee joint of 100 successively examined patients were evaluated in retrospect with regard to periarticular cystic lesions. There were 18 popliteal cysts, 8 meniscal cysts and 4 ganglion cysts. Localisation and internal structure of the lesions were of main importance in respect of differential diagnosis. All meniscal cysts were associated with horizontal meniscal tears. Spin-echo and 3D gradient-echo images did not enable differentiation because of signal intensity values. A spin-echo sequence with long repetition time in double-echo technique was best suited to assess the periarticular cystic lesions as well as the intraarticular pathological changes which were often concomitant.