Latest advancements in imaging techniques in OA

Abstract

The osteoarthritis (OA) research community has been advocating a shift from radiography-based screening criteria and outcome measures in OA clinical trials to a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based definition of eligibility and endpoint. For conventional morphological MRI, various semiquantitative evaluation tools are available. We have lately witnessed a remarkable technological advance in MRI techniques, including compositional/physiologic imaging and automated quantitative analyses of articular and periarticular structures. More recently, additional technologies were introduced, including positron emission tomography (PET)-MRI, weight-bearing computed tomography (CT), photon-counting spectral CT, shear wave elastography, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, multiscale X-ray phase contrast imaging, and spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging of cartilage. On top of these, we now live in an era in which artificial intelligence is increasingly utilized in medicine. Osteoarthritis imaging is no exception. Successful implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) will hopefully improve the workflow of radiologists, as well as the level of precision and reproducibility in the interpretation of images.

Morphological assessment of cartilage and osteoarthritis in clinical practice and research: Intermediate-weighted fat-suppressed sequences and beyond

“…In the research setting, cartilage morphology is graded as part of semi-quantitative whole-organ scoring systems. A detailed description of these grading systems can be found in the literature [ 1 , 38 – 40 ].…”

Imaging of Anatomical Variants Around the Hip

“…The advent of quantitative MRI has provided a noninvasive method to assess early articular cartilage biochemical changes before the occurrence of morphological abnormalities. 23 The joint space width varies significantly within a single hip joint, wider at the lateral than the cranial and medial site. 24 However, asymmetry between both hip joints is uncommonly seen.…”

“…The advent of quantitative MRI has provided a noninvasive method to assess early articular cartilage biochemical changes before the occurrence of morphological abnormalities. 23…”

Analysis of the main indicators and risk factors of ultrasonic shear wave elastography for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis among adults

“…Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that is highly prevalent worldwide and a whole joint disease involving all joint tissues such as menisci, subchondral bone, infrapatellar fat pad and synovial membrane (1,2). The 2015 World Health Organization Global Report on Aging and Health highlights OA as the leading cause of disability in adults aged more than 60 (3)(4)(5).…”