T2 values of articular cartilage in clinically relevant subregions of the asymptomatic knee

Abstract

Significant differences in mean T2 values and texture parameters were found between subregions in this carefully selected asymptomatic population, which suggest that there is normal variation of T2 values within the knee joint. The clinically relevant subregions were found to be robust as demonstrated by the overall high repeatability.

Normal T2 map profile of the entire femoral cartilage using an angle/layer‐dependent approach

“…On the other hand, the lateral condyle has an oval or box‐like shape, and showed a sharp and narrow peak at +54° in the deep layer in our image‐processing manner using circle‐fitting algorithm. T 2 values at the trochlea were higher than those of the medial and lateral condyle, as previously reported . The higher T 2 value at the lateral condyle than the medial condyle in the superficial layer may be explained by the basis that the medial condyle has a wider weight‐bearing area than the lateral condyle, and that weight‐bearing areas have lower T 2 values than nonweight bearing areas .…”

“…Surowiec et al reported significant differences in mean T 2 values between 21 subregions in healthy volunteers (range: 41.7–54.2 msec), suggesting that there is a normal variation of T 2 values within the knee. T 2 values of the three anatomical landmarks in our study were similar to those of previous studies (range: 44.3–52.3 msec) . Shiomi et al reported the 3D distribution of T 2 values of the entire femoral cartilage in healthy volunteer knees, in which cartilage T 2 values for the internal half of the weight‐bearing zone covered by meniscus were significantly higher than those in all other zones within both the medial and lateral condyles.…”

“…It is also known that the T 2 value of cartilage is influenced by its orientation relative to the static magnetic field ( B 0 ) due to the magic angle effect . Although many researchers have described T 2 mapping of the knee cartilage in healthy populations, there are variations in the T 2 values of healthy cartilage because of inconstant and varying definitions and limited number of subregions within the literature . Several studies have described the 3D distribution of T 2 values in the entire femoral cartilage .…”

Variable angle gray level co‐occurrence matrix analysis of T2 relaxation time maps reveals degenerative changes of cartilage in knee osteoarthritis: Oulu knee osteoarthritis study

“…Second, focusing only on weight‐bearing medial and lateral regions limits the generalizability of our results. As Surowiec et al have demonstrated, T 2 values and texture features vary naturally between the different anatomical regions within the knee joint . To acquire comprehensive understanding over the whole knee cartilage, all regions should be studied.…”

MRI T2 Mapping of Knee Articular Cartilage Using Different Acquisition Sequences and Calculation Methods at 1.5 Tesla

“…While different options exist for the treatment of OA, the efficiency and the implementation of treatment strategies to slow or to stop progression of the disease depend on early and accurate detection of the stage of OA [5].…”