  The goal of this work is to showcase the clinical value that portable MRI can
provide in crowded events and major sports competitions. We temporarily
installed a low-field and low-cost portable MRI system for extremity imaging in
the medical facilities of the Ricardo Tormo Motor Racing Circuit during the
four days of the Motorcycle Grand Prix held in Valencia (Spain), which closed
the 2022 season of the MotoGP. During this time, we scanned 14 subjects,
running a total of 21 protocols for wrist, knee and ankle imaging. Each
protocol included a minimum of one T1-weighted 3D-RARE sequence for general
anatomical information, and one 3D-STIR sequence to highlight fluid
accumulation and inflammation. The circuit medical staff were able to visualize
a number of lesions and conditions in the low-field reconstructions, including
gonarthrosis, effusion, or Haglund's syndrome, as well as metallic implants and
tissue changes due to surgical interventions. Out of eight low-field
acquisitions on previously diagnosed lesions, only two (a meniscus tear and a
Baker cyst) were not detected by the experts that evaluated our images. The
main highlight was that a low-field MRI scan on a subject reporting pain in a
wrist revealed a traumatic arthritis which an X-ray radiograph and visual
inspection had missed. We have operated in a scenario where high-field MRI is
unlikely to play a role but where a low-field system can lead to improved
medical attention. In the case reported here, system transport, installation in
the circuit facilities and calibration were all uncomplicated. The images
presented to the medical staff were mostly unprocessed and there is thus room
for improvement. In conclusion, this work supports the claim that low-field MRI
can likely provide added value whenever concepts such as accessibility,
portability and low-cost outweigh exquisite detail in images.
