Mikko Johannes Nissi1,2, Petro Kalle Julkunen1, Miika Tapio Nieminen3,4, Jukka Sakari Jurvelin2
1Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland; 2Department of Physics, University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland; 3Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; 4Department of Radiology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
Depth-wise T2 relaxation time of articular cartilage reveals laminar tissue structure that closely associates with the properties of the collagen fibril network. To determine the depth-wise T2 changes in cartilage degeneration, T2 profiles were determined for intact bovine patellar cartilage, as well as for samples with early or advanced degeneration. T2 profiles for different groups were compared in a point-wise manner at different depths. The results indicate that significant changes occur in degeneration both at the most superficial and deep parts of the tissue. Furthermore, the results showed that the detectable depth-wise structure may vary with degeneration.