Richard Hodgson1, Robert Evans2,
Peter Wright2, Matthew Robson3
1Leeds Musculoskeletal Biomedical
Research Unit, University of Leeds, Leeds, Yorks, United Kingdom; 2Leeds
Musculoskeletal Biomedical Research Unit, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds,
Yorks, United Kingdom; 3Centre for Clinical Magnetic Resonance
Research, Unversity of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Magnetization
transfer in the Achilles tendon was investigated using ultrashort echo time
imaging with off resonance saturation pulses (2-100kHz off resonance). The
experimental data was fitted to a two-compartment model. Magnetization
transfer effects were demonstrated which showed good agreement with the
model. The bound water fraction from the model was consistently higher than
that reported in white matter in the brain, reflecting the high collagen
content in tendon. This technique appears feasible and and may be useful for
assessing changes in collagen content which occur in tendonopathy.