Stefan Kirsch1, Michael Kreinest2, Gregor Reisig2, Lothar R. Schad1
1Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Germany; 2Department for Experimental Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, University Medical Centre Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
In this study, single-slice 1H mapping of ultrashort T2 and T2* was performed on porcine menisci. The signal decays were analyzed using a monoexponential, biexponential, and a Gaussian-exponential fit function. The quality of the curve fits was estimated and visualized by calculating the reduced chi-squared (χ 2red, goodness of fit) for each pixel. Areas with different type of signal decay were identified. Analysis of the parameter maps suggests that these areas can be assigned to regions with different collagenous texture. In future, in-vivo mapping of ultrashort T2*/T2 may provide a tool for early detection of tissue degeneration of menisci.