On the 19th and 20th of September, a scientific event was held at the conference hall of the Domes of Elounda Hotel having as subject “RATIONAL USE OF MRI IN DISEASES OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM”.
The event was organized by the diagnostic center “ASKLIPIOS – DIAGNOSIS” and the scientific program was prepared by A. Karandanas, Associate Professor of Radiology at the University of Crete. The event was attended by orthopedic doctors of the prefectures of Heraklion and Lasithi, private and hospital doctors.
In his opening speech, Dr. Karandanas pointed out that the constantly increasing life expectancy is associated with the greater incidence of diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system, such as arthropathy, osteoporosis, and metastatic disease. Furthermore, the constantly increasing practicing of exercise by adults and middle-aged people for better health, and the athletic injuries in young people, have dramatically increased the use of MRI scanning. This increase however, may cause the discredit of the method if the latter is not applied correctly. The rational use of MRI, as Dr. Karandanas pointed out, requires the proper clinical examination of the patients, a good knowledge of the capacities of other methods, such as simple X-rays, the communication between orthopedists and radiologists in order to provide a solution to the clinical issue and, finally, the availability of a modern technology scanner.
The speakers pointed out the indications of the method, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages compared to other imaging techniques, in a wide range of diseases that affect large parts of the population.
Mr. N. Karkavitsas, Professor of Nuclear Medicine at the University of Crete, presented the possibilities of diagnosis of infections in patients who have undergone arthroplasty, where the MRI is not indicated due to the presence of metals that produce false readings. The combination of a three-phase scintigraphy with an Indium labeled leukocyte scintigraphy, consists the method of choice for distinguishing an infection from a postoperative relaxation when there is no availability of a PET scan.
Dr. A. Karandanas, described in his speech, the indications of the method in the diseases of the wrist, the ankle and the hip, as well as in the infections of the musculoskeletal system. The speaker pointed out the pathology that is not apparent in simple X-rays, as well as the value of early diagnosis of diseases, that will prevent the occurrence of degenerative diseases at a young age.
The National Health System deputy director of the KAT Hospital Mr. K. Pikoulas, presented the capacities of MRI in subacromial impingement and the degenerative disease of the spine, that practically affects almost every person, more or less. Mr. Pikoulas pointed out that very often the sensitivity of the method highlights pathological findings that are not however accompanied by symptoms. Therefore, the good knowledge of the clinical issue, will contribute to the selection of the most effective treatment of the patients.
Finally, Ms. E. Apostolaki, National Health System Attending Physician at the University General Hospital of Heraklion, in her speech presented the applications of the method in the very common knee diseases as well as in athletic injuries of children and adolescents.
At the end of the conference a discussion with the audience took place which was followed by dinner at the restaurant of the “Domes of Elounda” Hotel.