Matthew F. Koff1, LeRoy Chong2, Patrick Virtue3, Dan Chen4, Timothy Wright4, Hollis Potter1
1Department of Radiology and Imaging, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA; 2Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Changi General Hospital, Singapore; 3GE Healthcare, Waukesha, WI, USA; 4Department of Biomechanics, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used for non-invasive quantification of cartilage distribution within a joint. A limited number of cartilage thickness validation studies have been performed. The goal of this study was to perform a matching point-to-point validation of indirect cartilage thickness calculations from MR images with direct cartilage thickness measurements using biomechanical indentation. A phantom was used to register data from the image and the indentation coordinate systems. Differences between the methods of cartilage thickness measurement were 0.047+/-0.218 mm (mean+/-st.dev.). This study will aid in validating a tool for clinical evaluation of in-vivo cartilage thickness.