Takashi Nishii1, Toshiyuki Shiomi2,
Hisashi Tanaka3, Ken Nakata2,
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.
Keywords