Multimodality imaging considerations for genicular artery embolization in knee osteoarthritis

Table 6 Post-genicular artery embolization imaging interpretation guide for knee osteoarthritis showing common pitfalls

Category	Imaging findings and interpretation
Interpretive pitfalls	Persistent osteophytes should not be interpreted as treatment failure. Static cartilage defects should not be interpreted as treatment failure. No change in joint space narrowing on radiography does not exclude clinical response. Early focal T1-hypointense subchondral signal should not be labeled osteonecrosis without follow-up

This table highlights interpretive pitfalls, meaning findings that may persist or fluctuate after genicular artery embolization and should not be automatically overcalled as treatment failure or irreversible complication without clinical correlation and interval comparison. These include persistent osteophytes, unchanged cartilage defects, no radiographic change in joint-space narrowing, and early focal subchondral T1-hypointense signal that should not be labeled osteonecrosis without follow-up assessment.