Abstract #0283

Multiparametric MRI Assessment of Early Osteoarthritis in a Rabbit Model of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Transection

Jari Rautiainen¹, Mikko J. Nissi¹,², Timo Liimatainen³, Walter Herzog⁴, Rami K. Korhonen¹, Miika T. Nieminen⁵,⁶

¹Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; ²Center for Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States; ³Department of Neurobiology, A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; ⁴Faculty of Kinesiology, Engineering and Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada; ⁵Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland; ⁶Department of Medical Technology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland

The sensitivity of selected quantitative MRI parameters (Adiabatic T1ρ & T2ρ, continuous wave (CW) T1ρ, CPMG T2, Adiabatic double echo (DE) T2, T1 during off-resonance saturation, and relaxation along fictitious field (RAFF)) to early OA changes in rabbit anterior cruciate ligament transection model was investigated. Biomechanical testing of the samples revealed altered functional properties of the tissue in response to experimental OA, and a differential response to the various MRI methods was observed. Relaxation in the rotating frame of reference (continuous wave and adiabatic T1ρ and adiabatic T2ρ) proved to be most sensitive in detecting early cartilage degeneration.