Quantitative MRI Using T1ρ and T2 in Human Osteoarthritic Cartilage Specimens: Correlation with Biochemical Measurements and Histology

Overview

Journal Magn Reson Imaging

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Radiology

Date 2010 Dec 7

PMID 21130590

Citations 122

Authors

Xiaojuan Li

Jonathan Cheng

Katrina Lin

Ehsan Saadat

Radu I Bolbos

Bjorn Jobke

Michael D Ries

Andrew Horvai

Thomas M Link

Sharmila Majumdar

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: A direct correlation between T(1ρ), T(2) and quantified proteoglycan and collagen contents in human osteoarthritic cartilage has yet to be documented. We aimed to investigate the orientation effect on T(1ρ) and T(2) values in human osteoarthritic cartilage and to quantify the correlation between T(1ρ), T(2) vs. biochemical composition and histology in human osteoarthritic cartilage.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-three cartilage specimens were collected from patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty due to severe osteoarthritis and scanned with a 3T MR scanner for T(1ρ) and T(2) quantification. Nine specimens were scanned at three different orientations with respect to the B(0): 0°, 90° and 54.7°. Core punches were taken after MRI. Collagen and proteoglycan contents were quantified using biochemical assays. Histology sections were graded using Mankin scores. The correlation between imaging parameters, biochemical contents and histological scores were studied.

Results: Both mean T(1ρ) and T(2) at 54.7° were significantly higher than those measured at 90° and 0°, with T(1ρ) showing less increase compared to T(2). R(1ρ) (1/T(1ρ)) values had a significant but moderate correlation with proteoglycan contents (R=.45, P=.002), while R(2) (1/T(2)) was not correlated with proteoglycan. No significant correlation was found between relaxation times (T(1ρ) or T(2)) and collagen contents. The T(1ρ) values of specimen sections with high Mankin scores were significantly higher than those with low Mankin scores (P<.05).

Conclusions: Quantitative MRI has a great potential to provide noninvasive imaging biomarkers for cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis.

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