Ultrashort Echo Time T1 rho Is Sensitive to Enzymatic Degeneration of Human Menisci

作者：Chang Eric Y^*; Campos Juliana C; Bae Won C; Znamirowski Richard; Statum Sheronda; Du Jiang; Chung Christine B

来源：Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography, 2015, 39(5): 637-642.

DOI：10.1097/RCT.0000000000000265

• MRI
• T1
• meniscus
• osteoarthritis
• cartilage

Objective The aim of the study was to determine whether quantitative ultrashort echo time (UTE) -T1 magnetic resonance (MR) measurements are sensitive to proteoglycan degradation in human menisci by trypsin digestion.
Methods Conventional and quantitative UTE-T1 MR sequences were performed on 4 meniscal samples using a 3T scanner. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after 4, 8, and 12 hours of trypsin solution immersion, inducing proteoglycan loss. One sample was used as a control. Digest solutions were analyzed for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. The UTE-T1 studies were analyzed for quantitative changes.
Results Images showed progressive tissue swelling, fiber disorganization, and increase in signal intensity after GAG depletion. The UTE-T1 values tended to increase with time after trypsin treatment (P = 0.06). Cumulative GAG loss into the bath showed a trend of increased values for trypsin-treated samples (P = 0.1).
Conclusions Ultrashort echo time T1 measurements can noninvasively detect and quantify severity of meniscal degeneration, which has been correlated with progression of osteoarthritis.

• 出版日期2015-10