T1 and T2 mapping of articular cartilage and menisci in early osteoarthritis of the knee using 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

Purpose: 3-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T1 and T2 mapping to detect and quantify cartilage matrix and meniscal degeneration between normal healthy volunteers and early osteoarthritis patients. Material and methods:A prospective study including 25 patients and 10 healthy volunteers was done. Patients with symptoms of early osteoarthritis and Kellgren-Lawrence grade I-II on plain radiograph were included for MRI knee. Patients with inflammatory arthritis, infection, trauma, and history of knee surgery were excluded. Healthy, normal adult volunteers (preferably age and sex matched) without symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee were drawn from patient's relatives/hospital employees/colleagues for MRI knee.Results: T1 and T2 relaxation time values of articular cartilage and menisci were significantly higher in osteoarthritis patients as compared to healthy volunteers. No significant difference was found in morphological thickness of articular cartilage and menisci in early osteoarthritis patients and healthy volunteers.Conclusions: T1 and T2 mapping are noninvasive MRI techniques reflecting changes in the biochemical composition of cartilage and menisci. T1 values reflect changes in proteoglycan content, and T2 values are sensitive to interaction between water molecules and collagen network. Mapping techniques assess early cartilage and meniscal matrix degeneration in osteoarthritis of the knee, and help in initiating treatment and monitoring disease progression. MRI is a sensitive modality for assessment of pathological changes in articular cartilage. With use of T1 and T2 mapping techniques, it is possible to evaluate the collagen network and proteoglycan content in articular cartilage and meniscal matrix.

Role of Mri T2 Mapping in Assessment of Articular Knee Cartilage in Osteoarthritis

“…In agree with Mittal et al (2019) (22), that reported lack of difference in average articular cartilage thickness between OA patients and controls, with p value > 0.05, our study results showed that there was a non-significant difference between cartilage thickness in OA patients and controls (p = 0.16), in Contrary to the cross-sectional CT arthrography retrospective study by Omoumi et al (2015) (23) which carried on 535 consecutive knees showing that cartilage of posterior aspect of medial condyle was statistically thicker in OA knees compared to non-OA Knees (p<0.001).Also, Li et al (2007) (24) , reported that there was no significant difference in the average cartilage thickness in OA patients and control subjects (P = 0.37), and suggested that there is nosignificant correlation was found between T2 values and cartilage thickness (P > 0.05), similar to our study results that observed a non-significant negative correlation (r = -0.3) between T2 values and cartilage thickness (p > 0.05).…”

Usefulness of ultrasonography for dynamic evaluation of medial meniscus hoop function in early knee osteoarthritis

“…Therefore, researchers have reported that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy are useful in detecting the full spectrum of pathological changes within the joint tissue 5 . Although our current understanding suggests that MRI can be used to detect early KOA 7 , 8 , this method has been excluded from the diagnostic criteria for early KOA, as it is costly and cannot be frequently used 9 , 10 . Therefore, in the present study, we focused on the efficiency of ultrasonography in identifying patients with early KOA, as the technique is simple and widely available in clinical settings.…”

“…Therefore, in the present study, we focused on the efficiency of ultrasonography in identifying patients with early KOA, as the technique is simple and widely available in clinical settings. Because previous studies have already reported the usefulness of ultrasonography for meniscal evaluation, our novel dynamic ultrasonographic evaluation focused on the medial meniscus, where medial KOA findings are known to appear early 8 , 11 , 12 . Indeed, dynamic evaluation represents the strongest point of ultrasonography.…”

Monitoring the efficacy of tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonists in the treatment of Ankylosing spondylarthritis: a pilot study based on MR relaxometry technique

“…T1 mapping imaging technology reflects the slow frequency interaction between water and extracellular matrix molecules in tissue, is sensitive to changes of proteoglycan content in tissue, and is independent from the signal intensity of reference tissue. In the past, it was used to quantify the degree of myocardial edema and fibrosis [14], because the tissue T1 value was relatively independent, not affected by the direction of collagen arrangement, and was also used for articular cartilage MR Relaxometry technology [15]. At present, there is little discussion on this at home and abroad.…”