Quantitative Characterization of the Achilles Tendon in Cadaveric Specimens: T1 and T2^* Measurements Using Ultrashort-TE MRI at 3 T

Abstract

The UTE MR sequence offers structural information about and allows reproducible quantitative evaluation of tissues with short T2 components, such as tendons, that are inaccessible on conventional MRI. This technique showed T1 and T2(*) measurements in the normal Achilles tendon and allowed correlation with structural status by histology. Because of the small number of specimens, this is considered a feasibility study.

Ultrasonography and Low-field Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Common Calcanean Tendon in a Rabbit Model for Tendinopathy Research: a Descriptive Study of Normal Anatomy

“…However, there is still no consensus as to which of these modalities is more sensitive and reliable in evaluating the particular pathologies of the calcaneal tendon and predicting clinical outcome. In recent years, imaging techniques have developed dynamically, thus providing high-resolution sonography and high field strength MRI coupled with the introduction of doppler and contrast enhanced imaging as well as new sequences based on ultrashort echo times (Filho et al 2009, Genovese et al 2011, Del Buono et al 2013). In our study we used a veterinary dedicated MRI unit and a standard linear-array orthopaedic ultrasound probe, both of which are easily accessible to a wide range of researchers.…”

Quantitative MRI measurements of the Achilles tendon in spondyloarthritis using ultrashort echo times

“…Relative enhancement following intravenous contrast agent was significantly greater in patients compared with the control group using UTE images with an effective echo time of 0.07 ms, but not using gradient echo images with an echo time of 4.9 ms. This is probably due to the short T 2 of the healthy Achilles tendon (1-2 ms) [6,7], which impairs visualisation of contrast enhancement on conventional MRI unless the T 2 of the tendon is substantially increased by disease. UTE imaging, with its short effective TE, is relatively independent of the tendon T 2 and is therefore better able to show contrast enhancement.…”

“…fat) or noise. It represents a pragmatic compromise between intensity measurements from a single image and fitting data to models such as T 2 * calculation [5][6][7] or dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI [13], which may be more timeconsuming and less robust. All the measurements showed good interobserver reproducibility.…”

“…Techniques for quantifying Achilles tendinopathy in these patients based on signal intensity have been shown to correlate with pain and functional impairment [4]. However, measurements of signal intensity from conventional MRI are limited by the short T 2 of the normal Achilles tendon (1-2 ms) [5][6][7], which limits the detection of subtle increases in T 2 or contrast enhancement [8]. Short echo time (STE) gradient echo images can detect small increases in T 2 which may occur in mild or early tendinopathy [9].…”

The Agfa Mayneord lecture: MRI of short and ultrashortT2andT2* components of tissues, fluids and materials using clinical systems

“…Quantitation may include specific MR properties, particularly T 2 and T 2 * [148][149][150][151][152], the properties of the remaining signal after long T 2 components are suppressed and the ratio of short T 2 to long T 2 components. There are other features (such as the magic angle effect and dipolar contrast) that can be characterised [153,154], as well as susceptibility effects (Figure 8).…”