Abstract 21

Orthopaedic utilization of 3-DMR imaging: An investigation in the South Australian clinical setting.

Kurmis AP.

Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Surgery, Repatriation General Hospital, Daws Road, Daw Park, South Australia, Australia.

Despite widespread availability of the basic technology required to convert sectional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data to three-dimensional (3-D) computer displays, and the increasing frequency of reported use internationally, 3-DMR remains a grossly under-utilized resource in the Australian orthopaedic setting. The purpose of this investigation, performed as a survey-style questionnaire analysis, was to gauge the current level of clinical application of 3-DMR technology in the local environment and to explore barriers to more widespread adoption.

A list of clinical facilities performing onsite orthopaedic surgery in South Australia (SA) was obtained from the Australian Orthopaedic Association. The respective Department Head (public facilities) or Medical Director (private facilities) was identified in each instance, and a study-specific survey questionnaire was forwarded to these individuals. A 92.9% response rate was achieved.

Review of the responses demonstrated that most orthopaedic surgical sites already have the capacity to generate 3-D images from sectionally-acquired data, although such advancements are rarely extended to MR imaging. All respondents suggested a willingness to consider opportunities to incorporate 3-DMR into routine practice at their respective clinical sites, in-part bolstered by the previously-demonstrated advantages of using parallel CT-based applications, if the technology was made readily available and supported locally.

In summary, these findings suggest that there remains great opportunity to explore the further integration and more widespread application of 3-DMR in orthopaedic practice. To best facilitate this, orthopaedic centers require the demonstration of robust scientific validation, cost-effective integration into existing patient management pathways, time-efficacy, and readily available local technical support.

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