Abstract #0829

Effect of Tear of the Medial Meniscus on T2 Relaxation Time of Articular Cartilage

Risto Ojala¹, Antero Saviluoto¹, Ilkka Hannila¹, Marianne Haapea¹, Osmo Tervonen^1,2, Miika T. Nieminen^1,3

¹Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; ²Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland; ³Department of Medical Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

Meniscal tears are known to increase the risk of osteoarthritis (OA). To assess whether they influence the composition and structure of articular cartilage, T2 relaxation time of medial weight-bearing tibio-femoral cartilage was measured and compared between 20 patients with a tear in medial meniscus and 20 asymptomatic controls. A tear in medial meniscus resulted in significantly longer T2 values in most of the superficial and deep load-bearing medial femoro-tibial cartilage when compared to controls. T2 mapping may provide a sensitive tool to detect early signs of OA.