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Abstract #3187

Evaluation of Cartilage T2 Using Loading in Situ MRI in Patients with Knee Injuries

Takashi Nishii1, Toshiyuki Shiomi2, Hisashi Tanaka3, Ken Nakata2, Kenya Murase4, Youichi Yamazaki4, Hideki Yoshikawa2, Nobuhiko Sugano1

1Department of Orthopaedic Medical Engineering, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan; 2Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka University Meidcal School; 3Department of Radiology, Osaka University Meidcal School; 4Department of Medical Physics & Engineering, Osaka University Meidcal School


Knee cartilage T2 with use of loading in situ MR imaging (50% of body weight) was evaluated in 9 patients with knee injuries and 4 normal volunteers, for evaluation of cartilage pressure distribution in vivo. There was significantly larger decrease of T2 by loading at the superficial zone of the medical femoral cartilage in knees without meniscus tear than knees with meniscus tear (p<0.05). Assuming that decrease of T2 is correlated with amount of compressive loading, loading in situ MR imaging with T2 assessment may allow biomechanical assessment of pathological conditions in the cartilage of patients with knee injuries.