Advances in Musculoskeletal Imaging

Musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis, bone fractures, osteoporosis, or ligament injuries are very common conditions that affect for example muscles, bones, joints and adjacent connective tissues. Musculoskeletal disorders cause various symptoms such as pain and mobility limitations. Depending on the tissue and disorder, different pathophysiological processes are behind the symptoms. Musculoskeletal disorders have a tremendous impact on the quality of life of an individual and cause a large economic burden to a society. Imaging provides visualization of the anatomy and physiological processes of the body and plays an important role in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal disorders both in clinical practice and research. Conventional radiography and computed tomography (CT) are usually used to assess changes in the bones, for example fractures, whereas magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are widely used to assess changes in the soft tissues, for example damage in tendons, ligaments, menisci, and cartilage.

Novel imaging, image processing, and image analysis techniques have a great potential to enable earlier diagnosis and deeper understanding of musculoskeletal disorders and pathophysiological processes related to them. This would also enable development and application of relevant treatment in the early phases of the diseases when they might be more amenable to modification. In addition to the novel MRI techniques, novel imaging modalities such as Spectral CT or photon-counting CT and PET/MR may provide more detailed view of the joint. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have a great potential to enhance each component in the imaging chain.

This Research Topic aims to present applications of novel and innovative imaging, image processing, and image analysis techniques on assessment of musculoskeletal disorders and pathophysiological processes behind them. We welcome the submission of any manuscript type supported by Frontiers in Physiology (including original research and review articles) covering, but not limited to the following topics:

• AI in musculoskeletal imaging
• Imaging of physiological processes
• Imaging biomarkers
• Radiomics
• Quantitative MRI
• Novel imaging modalities such as spectral CT or photon-counting CT and PET/MR and ultrasound
• Prediction of musculoskeletal disorders using image data

Dr. Simo Saarakkala receives financial compensation for his role as Associate Editor of Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open, a journal published by Elsevier and managed by Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI). All other Topics Editors declare no Conflicts of Interest

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Imaging, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Image Analysis, Imaging Biomarker, Joint, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.